[Game date: 2014 Feb 02]

1. Session 19
   1. Date: 2014 Feb 2

                                                              i.      PCs: Camla, Derik, Gragdar, Vaelmorn, Dikembe (Shoanti barbarian played by a guest player)

2. Returned to Townhouse

                                                              i.      Took bats with use of darkness, and managed to return without attracting too much attention.

                                                            ii.      Carried bodies of Ironbriar and Xanesha

3. Met with Lord-Mayor

                                                              i.      Filled him in, and he fainted. Removed magical ruffle.

                                                            ii.      Convinced him by taking guards to Sawmill and showing evidence of Ironbriar’s journal

                                                          iii.      Got rewarded.

                                                          iv.      Met his personal bodyguard, Markinen.

1.      Met Four-Tooth, Lieutenant of the guards

2.      Met Dirk, sergeant of guards

                                                            v.      Invited to a ceremonial dinner

                                                          vi.      Got a writ from temple of Sarenrae to have Restorations cast

4. After resting, went with Dirk to collect evidence at Clock Tower

                                                              i.      Waited outside as guards went in and encountered Scarecrow.

                                                            ii.      Went in and defeated it

                                                          iii.      Valemorn levitated with Camla to top.

                                                          iv.      Gragdar climbed stairs and triggered bells falling. Barely survived, but many on ground perished.

                                                            v.      They cleared out the clocktower

5. At the dinner party, were honored.

                                                              i.      Lord Mayor then asked them to look into a small matter with the Black Arrows. They are a group of rangers based out of Fort Rannick that keep the ogres and giants from the Storval Plateau in check. They have missed sending reports the past few months. The last messages from the hamlet of Turtleback Ferry indicate that they hadn’t been seen in several weeks.

6. Return to Sandpoint

                                                              i.      Camla requests and gets Tsuto’s body to return to Ameiko for burial.

 

[Game date: 2013 Dec 26]

1. Session 18:
   1. Date: 2013 Dec 26
      1. Players: Camla, Derrik, Gragdar, Vaelmorn
   2. Rested in Sawmill for the evening. The following morning, they released the assumed messenger ravens found on the rooftop and followed them by riding on Vaelmorn’s giant Bats. It led the group to a rickety clocktower in the Underbridge.
   3. Assault on Clocktower

                                               i.     Vaelmorn and Camla leapt into the top floor through an open doorway. As they did so, a demon appeared in a cloud of smoke and lightning, accompanied by the smell of pungent sulfur.

 

 

 

                                             ii.    Seeing the fight, the others followed in on the second bat, but Derrik was suspicious and stayed out of combat, instead spending 3 rounds detecting evil. It paid off as he realized that the demon was just an illusion! And the true source of evil was just behind them! Just as the Paladin tried to warn his companions…

 

 

                                           iii.     The other demoic being cast off her clock of invisibility – a woman from the waist up, and a large snake below; Xanesha as she was known attacked Camla from behind, the devastating blow almost killing the man outright.

 

 

                                            iv.     The group shifted their attention to her. Gragdar’s undead hosts bore the brunt of her deadly spear attacks, giving the others time to reform battle lines.

 

 

                                             v.     A decisive use of the Blindness spell by Gragdar allowed them to finally close and surround Xanesha without provoking the deadly attacks of opportunity, even though she was able to remove Blindness on her next action.

 

 

                                            vi.    Lots of magical summons and Xanesha was trapped; boxed in by the confines of the small tower made her unable to use her spear. The naga resorted to the use of powerful magics, with particular benefit of Scorching Ray, to the chagrin of Vaelmorn.

 

 

                                          vii.     The heroes eventually succeed in killing her and find in her possession a letter from “Lucrecia”.

 

 

4. Taking stock of their situation, they are deciding whether to explore rest of the Clocktower, or return to the Mayor.

 

 

 

Here’s the overview of the DF layout – as it was just the top floor of a clocktower, I used just the minimul of pieces. This picture is of when Camla and Vaelmorn leaped into the open doorway from atop the flying giant bat.

MECHANICS:

I ran Xanesha as written in the re-released Rise of the Runelords hardback version (Rogue 1). She is the first creature the group has fought with a base 6d12 combat dice; combined with her magical spear and her spellcasting, she was quite a formidable opponent. An illusory deman, and invisible sneak attack on Camla brought down half the group; later, two 8d6 Scorching Ray attacks on Vaelmorn brought the pain.

[Game dates: 2013 Dec 07]

1. Session 16:
   1. Date: 2013 Dec 07

                                               i.     PCs: Camla, Derik, Vaelmorn, Gragdar

2. Meeting with the Mayor

                                               i.     Heroes meet with Mayor Haldomeer Groboras in City Hall, where they are informed that one of the Magnimarian Justices is leading the hunt for the murderers.

                                             ii.     Justice Ironbriar is summoned and they meet a stern tall elf. Unbeknownest to them, he is also the leader of the cult of the Brothers behind the murders – of whom Aldern was only a puppet.

3. Assault on the Sawmill

                                               i.     They manage to track down which sawmill and then try to gain entry, but are turned away. Derrik detects evil in the workers.

                                             ii.     They decide to scout, and fly on bats to rooftop, where they sneak in through the messenger raven coop.

                                           iii.     They drop into the main floor, where they find Justice Ironbriar! He is surrounded by cultists in the midst of a ritual murder. In addition, they see Lyrie and Tsuto are part of the group!

 

 

 

 



 

                                            iv.     Vaelmorn drops in, and puts up darkness, but finds that it is repeatedly countered by Daylight. The fight is touch and go, leading to the destruction of most of Gragdar’s undead horde, but they prevail in the end.

 

MECHANICS

I thought that Ironbriar would be an ideal Inquisitor – not only the NPC background of a stern Justice, but specifically the Infiltrator that defeats the pesky Paladin’s Detect Evil. And with the high-crit Elven Curveblade, and the ability to make it Keen and Bane, he was a formidable opponent. Adding on his followers, plus Tsuto and Lyrie (whom’s freedom he saw to – and who warned him about the drow’s Darkness abilities), the encounter turned out quite challenging and fun for all.

Ironbriar

Elf Inquisitor (Infiltrator/Preacher) 8
NE Medium Humanoid (elf)
Init +13; Senses low-light vision; Perception +11
——————–
Defense
——————–
AC 20, touch 16, flat-footed 14 (+4 armor, +6 Dex)

DEF +9 DR 8 / 10 (magic)
hp 58 (8d8+8); judgement of profane healing 3
hp 69

Fort +8, Ref +11, Will +10; +2 vs. enchantments
Defensive Abilities judgement of profane protection +2; DR judgement of profane resiliency 2: magic; Immune sleep; Resist elven immunities, judgement of profane purity +2, judgement of profane resistance 6 (fire)
——————–
Offense
——————–
Speed 30 ft.
Melee +1 Elven Curveblade +14/+9 (1d10+2/18-20/x2)
Melee keen BANE +1 Elven Curveblade +16/+11 (1d10+2 + 2d6 bane/18-20/x2 – 15-20 w/ keen edge)

Special Attacks bane (+2 / 2d6) (8 rounds/day)

Spell-Like Abilities Detect Alignment (At will),

Inquisitor Spells Known (CL 8):
3 (2/day) Keen Edge*, ??, Ward the Faithful* (+2 to AC and +2 to saves)
2 (5/day) Litany of Defense (double defense), Hold Person (DC 14), Invisibility, See Invisibility
1 (5/day) Doom (DC 13), Shield of Faith, True Strike, ??, Protection from Law
0 (at will) Resistance, Daze (DC 12), Detect Poison, Read Magic, Detect Magic, Bleed (DC 12)
——————–
Statistics
——————–
Str 12, Dex 24, Con 11, Int 12, Wis 15, Cha 8
Base Atk +6; CMB +7; CMD 23
Feats Combat Reflexes (8 AoO/round), Improved Initiative, Toughness +8, Weapon Finesse

Skills Acrobatics +15, Bluff +6, Climb +6, Diplomacy +8, Disable Device +11, Heal +7, Intimidate +10, Knowledge (arcana) +6 (+8 to identify the abilities and weaknesses of creatures), Knowledge (dungeoneering) +6, Knowledge (history) +3, Knowledge (local) +4, Knowledge (planes) +8, Knowledge (religion) +8, Perception +11, Sense Motive +12, Spellcraft +7 (+9 to determine the properties of a magic item), Stealth +18, Survival +2, Use Magic Device +2 Modifiers
Languages Common, Draconic, Elven
SQ domains (murder), elven magic, judgement (3/day), Combat Gear; Other Gear MW Mithral Chain shirt, +1 Elven Curveblade, wand of daylight (10 charges) 150 GP
——————–
Special Abilities
——————–
Bane (+2 / 2d6) (8 rounds/day) (Su) Make the weapon you are holding a bane weapon. Swift to change type.
Combat Reflexes (8 AoO/round) Can make extra attacks of opportunity/rd, and even when flat-footed.
Detect Alignment (At will) (Sp) Detect chaos, evil, good, or law at will.
Determination (3 / day) (Ex): free action

– Aggression: Re-roll attack roll

– Defense: Immediate action to get +4 DEF

– Warning: If ally hit, can force reroll of attack

Elven Immunities +2 save bonus vs Enchantments.
Elven Immunities – Sleep You are immune to magic sleep effects.
Elven Magic +2 to spellcraft checks to determine the properties of a magic item.

Inquisition (Justice):

– Judicious Force (2/day) (Su): +4 confirmation roll for crit if you or ally w/I 10 ft makes threat.

– Chains of Justice (1/day) (Su): bind opponent w/I 60 ft w/ spectral chains (Will negates). Damage is mirrored to both.

Judgements (3 times / day): Can use 2 @ 8^th level

– Profane Destruction +3 (Su) Weapon Damage bonus.
– Profane Healing 3 (Su) Fast Healing
– Profane Justice +2 (Su) Attack bonus
– Profane Piercing +3 (Su) Concentration and vs. SR bonus
– Profane Protection +2 (Su) AC bonus
– Profane Purity +2 (Su) Save bonus
– Profane Resiliency 2: Magic (Su) DR/magic
– Profane Resistance 6 (Fire) (Su) Energy Resistances
– Profane Smiting (Magic) (Su) DR bypass
Low-Light Vision See twice as far as a human in low light, distinguishing color and detail.
Misdirection (Sp): Detects as a LN elf.

Necessary Lies (Su): +8 on saves vs. lie detection

Second Judgement (3/day) (Su) Variable bonuses increase as the combat continues.

——————–
Tactics HERO POINTS: 1
——————–

Before Combat Before combat starts, casts keen edge, shield of faith for +3 deflection, and Ward the Faithful

During Combat

1^st round: Uses Judgment (swift) for Protection and Resiliency, Standard for Chains of Justice, Move to Melee

2^nd round: Swift action to use bane

– Litany of Defense if going into melee (Doubles armor DR?)

– Judicious Force to get +4 to confirm.

[Game dates: 2013 Nov 30]

1. Session 16:
   1. Date: 2013 Nov 30

                                               i.     PCs: Camla, Derik, Vaelmorn, Gragdar, Sharptooth (another friend took over running the goblin)

2. Sandpoint

                                               i.    Returning to Sandpoint, they decided to keep Aldern’s death and subsequent undeath a secret.

                                             ii.     Camla went to store to get an airbladder for Gragdar’s newest goblin ghast acquisition

1.     Ven asked if they caught who did it.

2.     Camla couldn’t hold it in and said yes, and that he was punished. Ven retired crying and thanking Camla.

3.     He saw Orik in the shop with Shayliss, and Orik helped him find the bladder.

                                           iii.     They filled in the Sheriff and Mayor.

1.     They requested that everyone be armed and trained. Mayor said it’ll have to be run by the elders.

                                            iv.     They got a card reading by Madame Mvashti

                                             v.     They got summoned by Brodert and told more history about the Sihedron, as well as that some kids went to Chopper’s Isle and found an opening.

                                            vi.     Heroes decided to go to Magnimar as soon as possible.

3. Magnimar

                                               i.     Camla and Derik went to Aldern’s house disguised as Aldern and a guard. They got to the upscale Naos neighborhood, and paid for a porter to clear the way for them to the townhouse.

                                             ii.     The others flew in by bat and walked in. They had trouble getting through the guards at Naos, and had to sneak in.

                                           iii.     Camla and Derik arrive at the house, and bluff their way in. But are shocked at suddenly seeing Iesha in there. And then are ambused by the “servants” – all four of them turning out to be faceless stalkers!

                                            iv.     Vaelmorn, Gragdar, and Sharptooth arrive in time to turn the tide of battle.

                                             v.     They manage to capture one alive, and questioning him, learn that they were hired by Aldern, but knew of his transformation. They also learn that Aldern had a visit from a woman and a pale elf some 4 months previous. They find the deed to the house, and the mention again of the Brothers and the Seven’s Sawmill.

 

 

(Pictures originally posted on the Dwarven Forge forums)

[Game date: 2013 Nov 23]

1. Session 15:
   1. Date: 2013 Nov 23
      1. Players: Derrik, Camla, Gragdar, Vaelmorn, Ameiko (played by Mark, a friend of Camla’s player)
   2. Misgivings basement
      1. Following Iesha into a very large cavern opening, they see in the distance the figure of Aldern with several undead around him.
         1. He is crouched down and sobbing over what had become of Iesha. She is cradling him as he begs her forgiveness, telling her that it was “the Hurter”, and “the Brothers” that has caused all their problems.
            1. They barely recognize the cowardly fop whom they had saved from the goblin attack on Sandpoint during the Swallowtail Festival; the same magmanious noble with whom they had gone boar hunting. True, he wore the same finery, but now the blue and gold was ripped and stained with substances beyond just dried blood. The hands covering his face were wasted and gangrenous, the nails elogated into gore-encrusted claws – and an nauseating odor to match.

1. As he catches sight of the group however, Aldern’s demeanor suddenly changes, eyes focused on Gragdar.
   1. The man straightens and enthusiatically greets his “greatest friend – the powerful and most excellent of warriors, Gragdar!” with Iesha completely forgotten.
   2. To show off his devotion to the ork priest, he points out a table behind him – now a shrine bearing Gragdar’s missing javelins, a pair of his gloves, what appear to be tufts of hair, and his name written in dried blood.
   3. He beckons for Gragdar to approach “and join us in consummating our… our hunger…”
   4. Stirring from whatever human pity she had remaining, Iesha shrieks out in rage and strikes at the remanants of her husband.
   5. At this, Aldern reaches up and pulls apart what appears to be a mask composed of strips of dried flesh – underneath which, Gragdar’s face stares back at the group!
2. Combat ensues with the ghoul servants attacking Iesha as she rakes at Aldern and he rushes towards Gragdar.
   1. Vaelmorn casts darkness on a javelin and hurls it at Iesha, covering her and the 3 ghouls attacking her.
   2. As they fought, Derrik sees a strangely humanoid shape on a wall of fungus near the table; he realizes that it somehow is his own shadow! He must eat feed on the fungus to reclaim his stolen shadown, but resists the compulsion with a great force of will.

1. The fight is quickly over, with Aldern defeated. They cut his body up and toss it into the whirlpool. Dying, his form reverts to that of the ghoul, and his face turning back into a mask of stitched dired flesh. They take the gruesome mask. They also find a note implicating “the Brothers of Seven” and a “Xanesha”.

1. They burn down the fungal growth, and leave.
   1. Aldern now dead, Iesha’s spirit passes on, and the revenant collaspes. They bury her body in the yard of the manorhouse.

(Originally posted on the Dwarven Forge forums)

[Game date: 2013 Nov 11 – didn’t play d/t player illness]

In damp foundations of Foxglove’s manorhouse, ancient construction leads to some caves, inhabited by the same undead.

Listen, in the distance, is that them?

And what’s beyond that cave mouth?

Overview of the layout. Mixtures of the resin Caverns sets and the Chamber of Sorrows from DF’s KS 1.

(Dwarven forge picture originally posted on the Dwarven Forge forums 2013 Nov 17)

[Game date: 2013 Aug 31]

After dealing with the deadly denizens dwelling atop Thistletop, the heroes took a trip to Magnimar to purchase some equipment. There, they learn about a rash of murders – mostly of wealthy businessmen, that are wagging the tongues of the cityfolk. The theories of who is behind the killings range from underworld deals gone bad, to the followers of justice bringing home judgment on those who would trample on the poor.

1. Session 11:
   1. Date: 2013 Aug 31

                                               i.     PCs: Camla, Derik, Gragdar, Vaelmorn

2. Sandpoint Council

                                               i.     The heroes return to Sandpoint and meet with the leadership and tell them about Nualia, and how she was still alive and behind the goblin raids.

1.     They were requested to keep that secret, for Father Tobyn’s sake

                                             ii.     They warned them about Orik and Lyrie

                                           iii.     Ameiko brought up rewards

1.     Titus said good idea and wanted to give plaque

2.     Ameiko looked unsatisfied, and when prodded suggested money

3.     Titus said funds are low, especially with Glassworks down.

4.     Group offered to hire workers in Magnimar to restart Glasswork operations.

                                            iv.     Sheriff Hemlock requested them take Tsuto to Magnimar for trial when they go.

1.     They secure him (borrowing broken chainmail and locked gauntlets from Savah).

3. Shopping

                                               i.     They meet Katrine and Shayliss again, as they buy manacles at the general store.

1.     Shayliss is still upset at Vaelmorn as she tells Camla to beware of his traveling companion, since the elf obviously likes boys

                                             ii.     They get scrolls and spellbook evaluated by Vorvashali

                                           iii.     He is able to tell them that hair, fingernail, etc. can be used for scrying.

                                            iv.     They confirm that the pearl earring Lyrie had likely belongs to Tsuto

4. Magnimar

                                               i.     Travel to city with Ameiko

                                             ii.     At the city, they deliver Tsuto to Ironbriar – a tall pale elf who is one of the city’s Justices.

1.     They also are introduced to a Lady Xanen (human woman with a hint of a foreign accent) who is brought in as a prosecuting attorney.

2.   They tell the pair about Tsuto’s crimes as well as their deeds in rooting out Nualia and protecting Sandpoint. They explain that as the prosecuting team, they need many details of what had happened. The heroes enthusiastically revel in their heroics – blissfully unaware that they are sharing all of their tactical details with the masterminds behind the next set of troubles.

                                           iii.     After brainstorming with Justice Ironbriar and Lady Xanen, they spend some time in the city to purchase supplies and equipment. They also hear rumors about killings that have been taking place in the city. The opinions of the murders are diverse, as most of the dead are bankers and rich merchant.

1.     Rumors abound of it being a cult of those freeing the oppressed?

2.     Or vengeance from a spurned business man?

3.     Possibly a monster in the Shadows?

                                            iv.     Vaalmorn spends substantial money to purchase a pair of riding bats. The bats and his use of levitation become a primary mode of transportation for the group.

5. Sawmill Murders

                                               i.     Vaelmorn uses the bats to fly Ameiko back to Sandpoint, where he sees a commotion at the Sawmill

1.     Vaelmorn returns to retrieve the rest of the group from Magnimar and they return post-haste

                                             ii.     Upon their arrival back at Sandpoint, they are met by Sheriff Hemlock, who tells them about murders that have recently occurred in and around Sandpoint. The bodies of Harker, one of the Sawmill’s employees was found mutilated the day prior. With him, was the body of Katrine!

1.     Hemlock also passes on a piece of parchment that was pinned to the sleeve of Harker’s shirt; it is addressed to Gragdar! Hemlock says that he has Ibor Thorn, the other miller who discovered the body in the holding cells; in addition, Katrine’s overprotective father – Ven Vinder was in another cell after flying into a rage upon hearing of his eldest daughter’s death.

 

 

2.     Hemlock then tells them that there were three more mutilated bodies found at an abandoned outlying barn a few days prior. The three men were identified by a letter carried by one of the men; men well known to the Sherriff as notorious con men, swindlers, and local troublemakers.  The bodies were found when a patrol along the Lost Coast Road was attacked by a lone sick and insane man who was frothing at the mouth and clothed in blood-caked garments. After easily subduing the man, the patrol discovered the bodies.

 

 

                                           ii.  With multiple gruesome murders, the Heroes of Sandpoint gladly agree to help. They begin searching for clues:

1.   They examine the bodies of the 3 men from the barn kept in the basement of the Garrison. The bodies had all been horribly mutilated with what appear to be claw marks; prominently, each has the seven-pointed star carved on them and face and jaw removed. Hemlock said he wasn’t surprised that they had met their deaths as it was only a matter of time, but he tells them the method of mutilation was identical to Harker. They insane man found by the patrol – a local Varisian thug named Grayst Sevilla was taken to a sanatorium located half a day south of Sandpoint.

2.   They then interview Ibor, and find out that Harker was cooking the books and skimming money from the mill. He implicates the Scarnetti family

 

 

3.    They interview Ven without getting much information from the grieving father and ask to speak to his family.

a.     Solsta and Shayliss are upset.

b.     They suspect Shayliss but don’t find anything amiss.

3.     They also speak with a Maester Grump – a local farmer who had just come to Sandpoint with tale about walking scarecrows that were killing farmers! They get the location of the Hambley farm and promise to look into it, although Sheriff Hemlock worries that the moonshine on Grump’s breath is only dulling memories of a grim situation.

 

 

                                           iii.     After meeting with the various individuals, the heroes make their way to the sawmill at the edge of Sandpoint. Keeping a small crowd at bay are a pair of guards.

1.     They recognize one of the guards as Orik! The man who they let go from Thistletop! Vaelmorn is apoplectic!

a.     Orik says he was looking for a job after leaving and headed to the town.

b.     He said he had previously gone through Sandpoint and liked it, as well as the friendly people.

2.     Inside they discover Harker and Katrine’s body.

a.     They immediately recognize the seven pointed star carved into Harker’s chest – the sihedron. He too was missing his lower jaw. Katrine however, appeared to have died by way of the sawmill’s saw.

3.     They note the claw marks on Harker’s body as well as rotten flesh on an axe next to Katrine’s body.

                                            iv.     Hambley farm

1.     On way to the Hambley farm where Maester Grump told them the walking scarecrows orginated, they group stops by the abandonded barn where the trio of bodies were found, but they don’t find anything of note.

2.     Arriving at the Hambley farmstead, they begin making their way to the main house, when suddenly, one of the scarecrows leaps free of its bindings and attacks! They destroy it, but find it to be a ghoul dressed up in farmer’s clothing.

3.     They retreat and return riding on the giant bats, acid splashing all the rest of the moving scarecrows in the field.

 

 

4.     Landing on the one building, they see the ghouls inside.

a.     This leads to a fierce battle, but they eventually destroy the remaining ghouls – including ones that look like they were once  female as well as children.

 

 

b.   On one of the ghouls, they find an iron key hanging on a leather cord around his neck; the key bears a heraldic symbol of a curious flower surrounded by thorns. Derik recognizes it as the Foxglove family crest, whose estate is located on the coast a few miles west of the farm.

c.  In addition, a body with the now-familiar mutilations lays in the farmhouse’s kitchen – even through the decay and the swarming flies, the sihedron is plainly visible carved into the chest, as well a scrap of parchment pinned to the tunic, and addressed to Gragdar.

 

[This was the session which started part 2 of the Rise of the Runelords Adventure Path, The Skinsaw Murders.]

(Originally posted on the Dwarven Forge forums)

[Game date: 2013 Jul 27]

On the lowest level of Thistletop, the heroes found Nualia – the woman who had united the goblin tribes in their common purpose. After a harrowing battle with her, they defeated her, only to find the memories of her haunted life flooding into their souls. Saddened at the loss, they nevertheless pressed forward, and discovered that she was far from the only source of danger in these ancient ruins…

Campaign Journal

1. Session 10:
   1. Date: 2013 Jul 27

                                               i.     Players: Gragdar, Vaelmorn, Derrik, Camla

2. Thistletop

                                               i.     The group returned back up to the other side of the bridge to recuperate after the battle with Nualia, taking her head with them. Among several notes and journals found with the body, they learn that Nualia planned to lead a goblin army to raze Sandpoint to the ground as a burnt offering to Lmashtu; her reward would be full transformation of her body into the fullness of a fiend – her arm of which was just the beginning. And the sacrifice of lives would fuel a “runewell” in the catacombs beneath the town! While they didn’t detail was how it worked, but cautioned that it not overextend the runewell’s stores, lest it be deactivated.

                                               ii.   They attempt to question the captive Lyrie about the runewell without success.

1.     Vaelmorn finds that Lyrie’s cat had partially bit through the ties, and uses it as blackmail to interrogate her. When she refuses, he kills it.

2.     As she rages at him, he throws her over the bridge, still tied up.

3.    Derrik jumps over bridge and rescues her! “Everyone’s redeemable.”

4.  After seeing the length at which the Paladin would risk his life for a captured hostage, Derrik and Gragdar relent to the others and allow her to be taken into custody.

                                             iii.     Sublevels

1.    Returning to the underground base, they find a secret doors leading to a trio of rooms. The first held is a barren room with an upraised dial and a marble throne flanked by statues of a man clutching a blook and a glaive. A ghostly figure seems to be seated in the throne – the same man as the statue. He seems to be addressing an audience as he moves about, his fingers decoradted with hooked rings. Camla makes out his words to be ancient Thassilonian, repeating the same message over and over: “… is upon us, but I command you remain. Witness my power, how Alaznist’s petty wrath is but a flash compared to my strength. Take my final work to your graves, and let its memory be the last thing you…”. They determine it is an illusion and continue.

2.  The second room contains 3 low tables covered with drills, saws, knives, and other tools. Near one of the tables, a mish-mashed collection of bones. 

3.  They enter into the third room, with no signs of magic nor evil detected and are ambushed by a wolf-demon of enormous size! The creatured mauls several of the heroes who were determined to bring it low. Until Camla, recognizing it as a Greater Barghest, screams out the danger to his companions. The bloody skeleton of Koruvus once again provides distraction as the heroes attempt to flee the room in terror and engage it from outside. The barghest proves to be trapped in the room, but rends the fleeing interlopers – who only managed to survive with the faith and blessings of Camla and Derik. From the doorway, a poisoned javelin strikes it square in the chest, but is not quite able to penetrate the thick hides of the foul beast. They stab at it with the recovered ranseur, but it quickly sunders the ancient weapon. The creature then attempted to use its charms to lure in Vaelmorn, which the drow narrowly shakes off. Finally, the power of Derrik’s faith brought low the creature with arrows that suck deep into the maw of the ravenous barghest.

 

A wolf-demon of enormous power!

 

                                           iii.     Exploring the rest of the subfloors, they encounter the undead shadows of the architects left behind to guard their creation.

1.     A judicious use of magic allowed them to overcome the non-corporeal creatures; Gragdar’s magic weapon spell on Derrik’s bow alloed them to save Shalelu from one of the shadows.

2.  During the battle, Gragdar takes command of one of the shadows.

 

 

A room hidden behind an entire wall that revolved to reveal the sarcophagi of the architects! And one guarded by their undead spirits!

 

                                            iv.     He uses the shadow to good effect.

1.     It explores the last basement room which it partially flooded. A giant crab was hiding in the water which the shadow quickly rendered powerless.

2.     They take the treasures from the room and guide the shadow back up to the midlevel to kill the strange tentacled squid-like creature living in one of the caves.

3.     They then command it back to the Thistle hedge to kill the creature that the goblins feared at the bottom of the “Howling Hole”.

 

And the treasury, partly flooded… unguarded, or so it seemed…

(An overview of the layout – note, I took some liberties with the official map.)

(Originally posted on the Dwarven Forge forums)

[Game date: 2013 Jul 05]

The Dwarven Forge Woodlands set turned out wonderfully for the use as the layout for the Thistle tunnels leading to Thistletop. The PC’s were all understandably scared of squeezing into the mound of nestles, wherein dozens of goblins were hiding.

The group was able to successfully navigate their way through, although Gogmurt proved quite elusive with his special ability to walk through the thistle walls!

Stumbling upon the Birdcruncher tribe:

Fighting Gogmurt, as he casts Entangle!

Tangletooth slain…

Making the way across the rigged rope bridge, the heroes of Sandpoint arrive at the crumbling keep. There they dispatch the distracted guards, and Warchief Ripnugget’s hosts.

(Unfortunately, I didn’t have enough of my pieces to fully make out the keep, so I didn’t build out the courtyard or outbuildings. So just the front portion, watch towers, and throne room.)

Entering the open front doors:

Peeking into the throne room reveals the Warchief astride a giant gecko holding court over his tribe.

Exploring the courtyard:

Campaign Journal

1. Session 8:
1. Date: 2013 Jul 05
1. Players: Group
2. Thistletop
1. Scouted Thistletop
1. Scared at the fortified nature of it: the Thistles and the bridge
2. Weighed assault options
3. Decided to do a water assault
1. Returned to town to get boat and waited a week until the new moon.
2. Heard about the “sea monster”
3. Reconsidered their options
4. Went back, and camped out. Noticed evening fog, and decided to attack.
2. Clear out Thistle tunnels
1. Found way to Birdcruncher goblins and killed them.
2. Found westernmost exit, looking over cliff out to the island.
3. Wandered past the howling hole and found the kennels. They filled the goblin dogs full of arrows.
4. Scouted out past kennels and spotted firepelt cat hiding around corner.
1. Vaehrun charged cat and attacked. Gogmurt then cast entangle, and moved into and out through magical brambles and thistles attacking the party. They eventually capture him when Vaehrun remained beyond one thistle wall waiting for him to cross while he was harassed with spells and missle weapons.
2.  Questioned Gogmurt and rested.
1. Learned about the sea monster, as well as about Nualia’s companions.
2. They leave him tied up in the Thistles
3. Explored upper levels of Thistletop
1. Crossing the bridge, they explored some of the ruined fort atop the isle. Shalelu and Vaehrun killed the sleeping pickle-thieving goblins. Then explored the courtyard, giving up after being unable to open up the nailed shut stable.
2. They dispatch the goblins playing cards, and snuck up on Warchief Ripnugget and his retinue in the throne room. Summoning a deeper darkness, Gragdar moved into the room and killed all the goblins with the powers of negative energy.
4. Chased Ripnugget down
1. Following the open doorway down, they find a naked bugbear with a bow behind a line of naked female goblins. As they engage, the are surprised by a very-much alive Ripnugget who frequently charges while running alongside the walls and ceilings atop his giant gecko! They eventually take him down, but not before taking heavy damage.
2. The group retreats back across the bridge.
3. They vote upon Gogmurt’s fate, and decide to let him go, now that the Thistletop goblins have been decimated.