The Burning of Skull Island

Rovagug 8, 4708 pm – I was able to talk the party to attack Thistletop this afternoon. We arrived back in Sandpoint in the late morning and agreed to meet back up at the stables. I went to see my uncle to see if he had a crossbow I could barrow. He did and it was one he made himself. It is a beautiful piece of work. I told him I would take care of it and return it back to him. This might help if we get in a missile battle to cross the bridge.

I went to find Daviren to tell him we are leaving. I did not find him. The guards told me he left earlier this morning thinking he missed us. So, I went to the stable to meet the others and get my horse ready. Everyone showed up as planned and off we rode to Thistletop. We caught up with Daviren just before we got to the maze.

As we approached Thistletop maze I noticed a goblin on top of the tower. They know we are back. He rode hard to the entrance and started our assault. The goblins had planned an ambush to surround us when we attacked. This was almost a disaster for us. Andrian must of realized this when I called for a minor retreat to get Lyk a step back so he was not getting attacked by four goblins at once. Andrian and Daviren protected our backs with support of missile fire. While Lyk, Riley and myself took care of the goblins in front of us. As the battle was coming to an end the surviving goblins broke for the bridge.

Andrian, Lyk and Riley all chased after the goblins but the goblins got across the bridge first. I checked out the rest of the area to be sure we where not surprised by Goblins again from behind while the others raced toward the bridge. The Goblins got ready to spring the trap on us as we cross the bridge. We stopped right in front of the bridge and then watch them set the bridge on fire instead. With out thinking if this was a good idea or not Andrian started across the bridge with his legs spread apart careful not to break the planks. He made it to the other side and the goblins were surprised because the bridge was on fire. The goblins ran into the keep just as Andrian got across. Andrian set the trap back so we could all run across the burning bridge. Once everyone was across we cut the burning bridge to safe the post. Now we are trapped on the island with the goblins in the keep.

Andrian pick the front door lock and we started to search the keep first floor. Andrian had to unlock all the doors on the first level as we search the keep. We found the way up to the guard towers and killed all but the last goblin we found. That decision turned out to be a mistake. But, I still do not believe in killing ones running away or surrendering. If I do, than I’m no better than they are and I am much better. So, I will have to live by those decisions.

We found the prized horse still a live but crazy with battle so Andrian put the horse down. We found stair going down where we could hear other goblins yelling. We closed the door and used our rope to hold the door closed with one of the guard tower doors. As we where deciding if we should go down the stairs to continue the fight or leave after we had limited the threat of attack from behind. The goblin we left alive set the keep on fire. Andrian had a great idea to collect the dead goblin bodies and throw them into the sea. That would be the food for the sea monster so we could climb down the rope and swim across in safety. That worked and we where able to escape the burning keep on Skull Island.

At least for the moment we have saved Sandpoint from being attack from our attack on the goblin stronghold. We must continue our assault and finish the job because once they have repaired the bridge I fear they will attack the village and burn it to the ground.

We climb up the cliff and walk back to the horses. As Skull Island burned we search the thorn keep. We toss the dead goblin bodies into the sink hole to the sea monster yip yip after searching the bodies for coins. We split up the coins and headed back to Sandpoint.

As we where riding back to Sandpoint we talk about if we should or should not attack Skull Island. We decided we would not give them any time to regroup so we are going to attack again in the morning. As the group was talking Daviren said we better not leave him again he is the best goblin fighter we have. I told him it was my decided to leave him back the last time (even though the others did not even want to take him). Daviren got all mad at me and I told him I would come and get him for tomorrow raid because we really do need him. He was still not sure and said he would be watching me. I plan to pick him up with the rest of the group at the stables even thou we where going to use the boats again.

As we where just finishing putting away the horses and going to get some needed supplies and rest before our next attack a person drove up asking us if we knew Lyk. He had a package for him. Lyk spoke up and said he was Lyk and the man look at him and then gave him a big package. It was a great axe sent from Aldern Foxglove. A beautiful weapon even thou it was make by orcs. He must like Lyk and also said thanks again for saving Sandpoint.

We all went departed and I went back to my uncle. I thank my uncle for the use of the crossbow and he said since you are going back there you might as well keep it for another day. I thank him and he told me to be careful because he did not want to tell my dad about my death.

The backdoor of Thistletop

Rovagug 8, 4708 – We rented two fishing boats to take us to the skull island. It took a few hours to get there and the sun will be up in less then an hour. We found a cave about fifty feet up and it looked like a tentacle coming out of the cave and grabbing seagulls. So, we took the boats to the cave. Andran said he would climb up to the cave. But just as he was about to get to the top he would fall. He tried three or four times before he said he just could not make it and Lyk said he would try. Lyk made it up on his first try very impressive. But, as soon as he got there he was attacked by this big worm. Lyk was able to kill it before it was able to kill him. Lyk told us that he could not move his feet very well and felt like he was about to be paralyze just when he killed it. He was able to tie the rope around it for us to climb up.

Andrian checked out the open passage first and heard a slurping noise coming from the right side of the fork in the passage. He took the left passage which lead him passed a garbage room and to a door where he heard goblins talking behind it. So, we decide to check out the locked door in the dead creature room. Andrian was able to pick the lock and we went down the passage which came to a ‘T’ intersection. There was a temple door in front of us and we could hear some dog sound. So, we decided to attack them instead of leaving them at our back. They where not surprised by us and they moved like they teleport. One came at me and was about 20 ft in front of me and then all of a sudden it was right in front of me. The other somehow went to the back of the group. Their howl was like it drained some of our defensive movement from us. It bit me for more than I thought a dog could do. I called upon Torag help but I missed but Torag power was still able to hurt the dog and I was able to heal myself. Lyk was able to hit it, too. They attacked the dog in back, too. Then all of a sudden the dogs switch places shaking us again. Lyk killed the dog in front of us. But, the other blink away down the passage we just came from howling. We noticed that this was a Temple of Lamanshatu this religion is not known to me. Andrian was the one who recognized the 10 foot tall statue of red stone. It had a jackal head with a third eye, talon hands holding two weapons, bird like feet, reptile tail and the body of a pregnant women. He told us it was an evil goddess the demi-god mother of demons. I smashed the hands so Andrian could take the weapons of sacrifice and I broke a leg to topple it over breaking it up more. Then we ran back to the boats to leave and found the other dog barking. Lyk was able to kill it with one hit. We were able to escape down the rope as Andrian jump out after untying the rope.

As we are going back to Sandpoint I tried to talk them in to attack the front of the maze again to keep them off balance. Daviren is waiting for us and I’m sure he would love to attack the fort or at least goblins in the maze. If we ride hard to the maze we should be able to get there by mid day.

The raid on Thistletop and Rescue of Daviren

Rovagug 7, 4708 – Daviren did not return last night. We started off again heading north. Shalalu said we were nearing Briar Maze and beware of ambush. We came to a thorny tunnel that was not big enough to bring the horses. So, we left the horses in the clearing. We entered the maze and we surprised four large rats. We took care of them very quickly Riley was able to sleep a couple so we would only be attacked by a couple at a time. This worked out well and we took little damage. We also noticed a sinkhole but moved on to our right.

We then came to a passage way that leaded to a rope bridge suspended over the sea below. Andrian climb a tower and could easy see Daviren body it appears he still alive on the shore. We have to get to him soon because the tide is coming in and will wash his body into the sea and he will be lost forever. Daviren fell because the bridge is a trap. The Goblins have cut holes in the center of the bridge slats with a rope going through them. When the rope is tight you can walk on them with no problem. But, when the trap is sprung the slats are weak in the center and can be easy broken. Poor Daviren was crossing the bridge when they sprung the trap on him and he broke through. He saw the goblins laughing on the other side as they appear to be resetting the trap, tightening the rope so you can cross safely only for them to spring the trap and fall through the slats like Daviren. Other goblins are repairing the broken slats on the bridge that Daviren broke.

Andrian came back to us and told us about Daviren and it looks like he still alive. We decided to check out the sinkhole if that is a way down or possible away into the fort. So, we went back to the sinkhole and tied two ropes together and lower Riley into the hole. When he came close to the bottom a creature attack him. We where able to pull him back up before we was the creature next victim. As we where talking and I was putting the rope away Andrian heard goblins coming. We where able to attack them before they got out to surrounds us. Lyk was able to keep them bottle necked up. They were the young goblins and we were able to dispatch them quickly. But they still got the alarm off. Andrian saw another goblin come up behind us. He and Riley ran after it and as the goblin was trying to escape he fell to his death crossing the broken bridge. We thought it would be better to leave before they got organized and come over in force. We had one goblin who surrendered and I had him drop his weapon and removed his armor. I lead him out and told him to run away. Riley looked to be casting a spell at him so I threw my hand ax in front of him to stop him from killing the unarmed goblin. I told Riley I was letting him go and he should not kill unarmed creature running away from us.

We got on our horses traveling about a half mile or so past the briar maze to the coast on our left. Lyk gave Andrian a potion of healing to give to Daviren. We were able to lower Andrian down to the sea coast. He was able to rescue Daviren and give him the potion. Andrian them pulled the goblin body to the cover and remove a few items from the dead goblin body. They both came back and I healed up Daviren and we left for town.

We got back to town and Andrian and Riley where going to question the goblin prisoner. I told them that no accident should happen to him while in the jail. They did find out some information but they did not find any other way in to the fort but over the bridge. We also found out that Tutso died being forced feed last night. Another accident but what he did just ended his life sooner. But, they still should not take the law in their own hands. Nothing good ever comes from it. At dinner we planned to use fishing boats to scout if we can find a cave into the fort from the sea side. So, tomorrow morning we are leaving early before sun rise to check it out. Note they told Daviren we are leaving at noon. I do not like that.

Rovagug 6, 4708 - Off for Thistletop Tribe

Rovagug 6, 4708 - Shalalu returned back in town and reported that she found the Thistletop tribe, up to the north, near the sea, on a hill that looks like a skull. We agreed to go after Nuale to break the goblin army with Shalalu as our scout.

Aldern Foxglove asked us if we where going after the goblins and Shalalu told him what she told us. Daviren Hosk overheard this about us going after the goblin and wanted in. Andrian and Lyk did not want him to come. Riley spoke up saying he has fought a lot of goblins and could help us. So, we all agreed and head out of town for the Thistletop tribe.

We came across two merchants who were attacked by goblins and lost a prize horse and offered us 250gp if we could return it to them. So, we took them back to Sandpoint and Riley wanted to buy more healing potions before we left. We crossed the Thistle River and Andrian spied six goblins ahead. Then Shalalu shouted out Goblins and they fired their arrows at her wounding her. I was able to help her with her wounds as the other attacked the golbins. The battle went our way and we were able to take one prisoner. Except, Daviren wanted to kill this goblin. It took all of us to subdue Daviren with Riley hit him from behind to get him to settle down and stop trying to kill the goblin prisoner. They tied the goblin up and gagged him to question him later. I believe Andrian suggested that Daviren go ahead and scout for us and we would follow. Then we decided to rest and no one thought about going to tell Daviren as we rested for the night.

Rovagug 5, 4708 – We all met at the Rusty Dragon where Riley gave us 100GP each for rescuing Amiko. We talked it over what happen and figure out Tutso blackmailing Longiko Kiajitsu who been disposing bodies killed by assassins which Longiko been trying to end. Also, the smuggling of goblins into town using glasswork wagons was Tutso plan to pin it on his father.