Sandpoint And Environs

March 31, 2016

The group decides to check out the ruins called the Light.  They found out that it has been a lighthouse, perhaps dating back to Thassonia, which interests Bellytimber.  They go up and check them out and Bellytimber can sense the magic around them.  Zendryl is able to see that a portal is fading but there.  He uses magic to hold it open and they go in, one by one.  First one through, Kull, finds there is no light, not even from a portal as there is nothing but a stone room.  Kull moves out of the way as the rest arrive, all stumbling blindly about.  Bellytimber is able to see a bit but sight only reveals a plain stone room.  Fei checks out the walls and finds nothing.  When Zendryl creates light, though, the two doors are obvious.  

Searching the doors reveals no handles but Zendryl feels that the stone itself is sympathetic to fire magic on one door, water on the other.  After some experimenting, he is able to open the fire door.  As soon as he does, it's like taking a breath of magic.  The next room feels like magic hangs in the air, ready to be plucked.  It is a large room, with many different exits and openings into other rooms.  On the floor is a large rune,  partially covered by the monstrosity of an Inverted Giant.  It is doubtful any of the characters are surprised when it takes a swing at Kull.  Kull is able to bring his shield around in time to avoid being hit, then responds by pounding it with his sword and shield.  Fei reaches into it and pulls out its entrails, spilling much of them on the floor.  Finally, Zendryl blasts it with a force bolt, destroying it.  

That's when Eetho apologizes.  A small reptilian humanoid, like a kobold but not quite, introduces himself.  Eetho greets them in the name of his master and says the feast will be prepared.  After some clarification, though, they realize they are to be the feast and have a problem with this.  Searching the room Eetho went into reveals a large kitchen, cooking foods they hadn't heard or smelled before.  Beyond that, was a dining hall larger than throne rooms they have seen.  They try and disrupt the cooks, more kobolds, but only Eetho seems to be able to speak.  The rest either can't or don't.  They retreat back to the first area and Zendryl, who realizes they are nearly in a ley line of magic, pulls on magic to send them back to the ruins.  

Not long after arriving, Minister Karzoug arrives to make sure they are okay.  Fei is suspicious of this and again the Minister explains that the town is indirectly following them, as the new adventurers in town, so it was not that hard to find out where they went.  They are also greeted by Haskatak, who introduces himself as a guide.  Haskatak has several friends who hire out as guides and even a healer, if they are going to the ruins.  When they say they want to go into the Lighthouse, he rolls his eyes and says to follow him.  Haskatak takes them to their place, and shows them the standard pack of climbing gear.  For a small fee, he agrees to go with them and show them the ruins.  They ask about the cleric but don't think they want to pay for him at the moment, as Haskatak acts like it's picked over.  Indeed, when they arrive back at the ruins, he quickly walks them through it.  

It might have been a quick hour long tour were it not for Thomas' staff pointing to a wall.  When they go to look at it, Thomas again falls back on tapping it with the staff.  And it opens!  Haskatak is shocked!  He tries to go along but they say they don't need him.  He acquiesces and offers his torch and other gear.  They go into the new passage.  

3 xp

GM Notes

• I am still impressed with how fluid the system is.  No one is mad when we don't roll initiative and attacks happen as they happen due to what feels right in the situation.  So when Kull is attacked, it seems obvious he's going to attack back.  Then the quick one, then the next one, and so on down the line.  
• I should not have had the portal happen so early.  That was my bad.  I think I got the adventure back to where I want it by the end but I was not happy at the moment.  
• Thomas' staff is a blessing and curse!  It does let me push them in a direction but it also means always knowing where it could be pointing!  I'm enjoying the challenge, though.   
• It was in this session that the players realized that they had seen Sandpoint years ago, on a weekend group.  They all played characters protecting the city.  And I think they liked the idea that several of their characters then stayed in the town!  I lost it and was laughing on the ground when they remembered the town and made the connection.   It's also what I enjoy in coming up with campaigns, linking things together.  Mostly for myself but at times it works out well.

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