Wednesday, October 19th, 2017
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Out of the three paths available, the heroes are drawn to the southernmost door which holds the familiar imprint of a seven-pointed star etched into the stone. Try as they might, Krask and Fobias are unable to pry the door open. A key is required.
Hoping that the key is nearby, Barnaby proceeds to the northern door and reveals a small chamber. Inside, a simple throne flanked by identical statues sits atop a raised dais. The chair is occupied by a faint, ghostly apparition who is quietly repeating a message in Thassilonian. Theo translates the message as, “…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…”, before it fades away and repeats.
Still lacking tangible direction towards Nualia’s whereabouts, the party investigates the eastern door. Amongst expertly crafted surgical tools and disturbingly ancient, deformed skeletons, Krask finds a metallic seven-pointed star that seems to be an exact match for the impression in the southern door. He stretches to insert the key and turns the handle. The room is lit by a long, shallow firepit and the light of sixty golden candles. Once again, the Sihedron rune decorates the back wall. But the room is not empty.
A small goblin is huddled behind one of the shelves, clutching his knees in a fetal position and sobbing softly to himself. Barnaby employs a jovial, comforting approach and persuades the goblin, whose name is Roken, to answer some questions. Roken was allegedly locked in this room by a woman with eyes the color of lavender fields and hair like “stringy ghosts clawing at a soul.” Knowing this is Nualia, the party questions further: Why was he locked up? For being a bad, bad boy. Where did Nualia go? I couldn’t see where after she threw me in here. Theo loses his patience with the goblin and threatens to cause harm unless he provides some useful information. Reluctantly, Roken leads the group to the far wall and points out a secret door, indicating that one of Nualia’s secrets is hidden inside.
Fobias grabs the small, silver coffer from within and hands it to Theo who detects magic emanating from the middle of fine, white sand that fills the chest. He uncovers a delicate silver ring inlaid with another seven-pointed star.
Suddenly, Roken’s voice deepens and his expression turns from cowardice to anger as his frail form grows and transforms into a hulking 12-foot tall goblin! He is furious that the party has chased off Nualia, who he claims is the only person who can free him from this prison. The newly formed party finally gets to flex their combative muscle and test out their new powers.
Theo stands in the corner, rattling off hexes and cackling maniacally. Fobias and Richard engage in melee, but their attacks can’t seem to properly penetrate the creature’s bulky hide. Krask focuses his efforts on the enemy by unleashing crossbow bolts with varying degrees of success. Barnaby shines with his whirling scimitar, dealing incredible amounts of damage for his small size.
Midway through the combat, the skin of the goblin folds inside out, revealing a terrifying cross between a wolf, bat, and pig known more commonly as a barghest. It blocks the exit with its massive form, leaving everyone but Fobias trapped in the humid room. Between bites and claws, the barghest casts a spell over Richard, who begins to attack Barnaby. Or attempts to, at least.
The tide begins to turn as the barghest disables Theo, putting him on the brink of death. Then, in a heroic moment of artful finesse, Barnaby twirls his scimitar and brings the beast to its knees. With a deafening roar, the barghest slumps down into the fire and begins to burn.
What was a barghest doing in the lower level of Thistletop? Who is the Thassilonian man and who is his message for? Can we get a Roken plush doll up in here?