25th of Rova 4707 AR
Boat Ride
The group takes Husky Zephyr with
Lera Clanhorn out of the docks and around the west side of Sandpoint, toward the north. Along the way, they get a good view of The Old Light and
Junker's Edge where the town dumps their trash. They get a good look at the Three Cormorants stacked out of the water, with a small forested area at the top inhabited by something humanoid with large wings.
They learn that Lera has a weakness for gambling, and make a bet over Espa's trick coin to obtain the use of a spyglass. They get a sense for
Thistletop, a particularly round island about 60 ft off of shore, connected by a rope bridge. The top of the island is 80 ft above the surface of the water, and covered in thick brambles.
From the west, when the light hits it just right, the side of the island looks like a submerged face. They notice that below the 'nose' the surf may be an opening that enters a cavern. Around the back side, there is some vegetation covering what may be a cavern entrance about halfway up. Atop the stone island, there are shambling wooden structures visible above the brush. Notably, there are two 30 ft tall towers on either side of the bridge.
Making Plans and Introductions
While discussing their surveillance options, Satashi introduces the group to his companion, an owl named Mouse. From his pocket, Naeric reveals his familiar, an adorable mustelid named Penna. Espa suggests climbing the island, or dressing up as goblins to sneak in. Naeric plans to meditate on sharing his senses with Penna the following day, so that she can fly over the island to scout its defenses better.
They're unsure why they actually want to do anything here, it seems like goblins are done doing stuff other than raiding farms (which is bad). Espa asserts that they were called here by divine intervention, and it's clear they need to find
Father Tobyn's corpse. Naeric accepts this.
Theodore isn't sure about divine intervention, "But at the very least these goblins are being pricks."
Satashi remarks, "One could interpret it as divine intervention, but for me this is about preventing a local menace and preventing something very bad from happening."
During their discussion, they realize in two days it will be a full harvest moon on the 27th. This seems ominous, making their plans more urgent.
Commotion at the Rusty Dragon
While wandering and chatting in Sandpoint, they hear a commotion from the Rusty Dragon. They find
Lonjiku Kaijitsu berating
Ameiko and demanding that she leave town. After some hurtful words exchanged, Ameiko splatters him with soup so that he storms off, but not before shooting some insults at the party for getting involved instead of leaving things to trained professionals.
Aldern Foxglove spots them in the crowd, "Dear Espa, I'm always so pleased to see you!"
"I... see you when I always see you too," she answers reluctantly.
Aldern rewards Satashi with 5gp for his help, but seems to only give him the full amount because Espa and Naeric are there. He tries to invite Espa (and everyone else) to dinner. She politely declines, claiming to have a game of Three Dragon Monte scheduled with some random people at a table. She's welcomed there, and handily wins some copper pieces. Naeric spends his evening getting to know Captain Clanhorn better.
An Urgent Letter
26th of Rova, 4707 AR
At dawn, Espa and Theodore make their way out of the Rusty Dragon to meet the group at the White Deer, when they're stopped by an elderly halfling woman.
Bethana Corwin takes them into the kitchen to share that
Ameiko Kaijitsu was missing this morning, and a worrying note was left in her place.
Tsuto Kaijitsu, her estranged half-brother, wanted to meet her at midnight in secret at the
Sandpoint Glassworks.
They bring the news and the letter to the others, and they decide that investigating the Glassworks is more important than scouting Thistletop today. Espa suspects Tsuto could be the longshanks that has been working behind the goblins.
The Glassworks
The Glassworks seems to be business as usual, blowing smoke. The curtains are covered, so Naeric sends Penna in a fly over the top of the building. He spies a terrible scene through a skylight: someone encased in thick layers of glass, and blood stains (or ketchup).
They hurry to allow Espa to pick the door while Naeric diverts any curious passersby. Inside, they find a Reception room with broken glass. Satashi regrets not wearing shoes. They creep their way through towards the main workroom, which is full of furnaces, glass, blood, and goblins.
It is a tough fight, as goblins pelt them with molten tongs and shattering glass. Satashi shoots many of them, and Espa uses one of the dead humans as a fungal thrall to keep the goblins from getting too close. Theodore dashingly darts around glass and tables to stab them with flourishes. Finally, they manage to kill seven goblins, and capture one.
They collectively catch their breath and check out the room. It seems the man encased in glass is Lonjiku Kaijitsu, but there is no sign of Ameiko or Tsuto anywhere.
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