Rise of the Runelords

The festival day began with Malloric and Henrik stopping in to introduce themselves to the Sheriff and offer their assistance in any matters that may need attending. Sheriff Hemlock informed them that there wasn't much to do, but if they could keep an eye out for drunks and pickpockets during the festival it would be appreciated. He also mentioned that he was looking for Lyrie Akenja, a dark-skinned wizard. She is not actually wanted, but he would like to ask her some questions about a recent robbery committed by members of the Tiger Sharks, the thieves guild in High Mardreth. She is known to associate with its members.

Ishan spent the morning immersing himself in local lore and finding his way through town. The others slept in and when they woke started to partake in the free food and drink.

At noon Father Zantus threw down a thunderstone to get everyone's attention. Before he even finished his first word, a woman's scream pierced the silence. Goblins were attacking! About a half a dozen goblins appeared at different locations in the square and started throwing torches onto thatched and wood shake roofs and started attacking the citizens gathered for the speech. In the chaos, the party was able to kill all the goblins, but not before some citizens were killed. After the noise in the area died down, sounds of fighting elsewhere in the village could be heard. This was soon followed by a large 'whump' from the south. A huge flame and fireworks could be seen over the roofs.

Rushing to the market square, the group found the fireworks wagon completly engulfed and several more goblins throwing torches onto roofs. A few more village folk lie dead on the ground. The group charged. One goblin, who was chanting a goblin song, cast sleep, dropping Wolfgar. The others put up a short fight before several fled to the east. Bach was the first to start the chase.

The fleeing goblins stopped in front of the Rusty Dragon where there were more gathered. They were taunting a well-dressed man who they had cornered. A short fight followed and one, dual-dagger weilding goblin in particular was quite challenging.

Hailed as town heroes, the next day was spent meeting with the Sheriff, Mayor and Aldern Foxglove, the young noble rescued in front of the Rusty Dragon. Crowds gathered where ever party members went and not so hushed whispers could be heard. Aldern offered to reward the party and asked them to join him on a boar hunting excursion.

The day of the boar hunt found Pirozzi shopping for goods when he was hurriedly approached by Shayless Vinder, an attractive young woman in town. She was worried that their might be a goblin in the basement of her father's store and asked Pirozzi to help. He followed her to the Ardrinn General Store and she showed him where she had heard scratching in the far corner of the basement. Pirozzi looked around the corner but only saw a cot and blankets. Turning around, he saw Shayless, who was now mostly disrobed. There was a mutual attraction, so Pirozzi decided to take advantage of the situation. Before much could happen, Ven, her father and store proprietor came downstairs and confronted the town hero. He accused Pirozzi of taking advantage of his status and said he didn't want to see him or his pals in the store. Pirozzi quickly left, not getting anything he came for. He joined the rest of the group for the hunt.

The boar hunt was much more successful. On the way out of town, the party passes a young half-elf riding into Ardrinn alone. The party's skills worked well to find and flush out two large boars. Everyone also made sure Aldern had a hand in killing each of them. Arriving back into town, all agreed to have community feast. Ishan set about overseeing the roast. It was a welcome distraction after the goblin attack. The Sheriff introduced the group to Shalelu Andosana, a local woodswoman and trapper. She keeps an eye on the goblins and is an expert on the various tribes. She has bad news. Turns out the tribes have put aside their petty disputes and are working together. This can only mean that someone or something has moved in to organize them as they are incapable of self organizing. Sheriff Hemlock asked the group to stay around town and help oversee the patrols. He said he was going to High Mardreth to see about getting more guards in case the goblins return. He will be gone for at least three days.

The next day the party was woken early by Bethana, a halfling maid working at the Rusty Dragon. She told the group she was worried about Ameiko Farvaren, the inn's proprietor. She hadn't started breakfast for the first time in memory and Bethana had found a note in her room. The note indicated Ameiko's brother wanted to see her at the Glassworks. The party agreed to follow up. Exploring the area you found numerous goblin tracks on the beach near the factory. Curtains were pulled shut on all the windows and the doors were locked. The factory looked to be in operation because smoke rose from the chimney. After useing the 'secret knock' described in the note, a goblin opened the door and ran off being surprised to see an armed group of humans (and a dwarf). Chasing him down and moving further into the factory you discovered that about a dozen goblins were cavorting in the large manufacturing room. Nearly everything in the building had been broken, and the goblins were throwing dismembered parts of the employees into the huge furnace. You took care of the fecund runts and were able to keep the last two from fleeing. You discovered in one section of the room a man sitting in a chair and covered with a coating of glass that was clearly drizzled over him when it was molten.

Exploring just beyond, you found another room with a descending stair.

End.