Rise of the Runelords

[Session recap]
Session 0
The year is 4707 (Autumnal Equinox)

The salt wind from the Lost Coast carries the scent of pine and distant sea as the caravan crests its final rise. Below, cradled between sheer cliffs and the glittering expanse of Varisian waters, lies Sandpoint. Colorful banners already flutter from the rooftops. Smoke curls lazily from stone chimneys. The faint clatter of hammering drifts upward final touches for tomorrow’s Swallowtail Festival. Children run and play as people work tirelessly putting up banners and setting up for the festival.

Behind you, three heavy wagons groan with the weight of goods, each branded with the blackened stamp of Korvosa a crowned castle over crossed blades, burned deep into oak panels. The pay was good far better than escorting grain barges or timber convoys but the promise of more made it better still. “Get the goods to Sandpoint safe, and the Rusty Dragon feeds you, beds you, and drinks with you for the Swallowtail Festival. On my coin,”

The caravan master exhales loudly as the town’s gates come into view. He cracks a grin and boasts, “Not a single wheel lost. No throats slit. That's a damned good omen". You each joined the caravan at different points along the long road strangers at first. But after chasing off wolves, scaring away a gang of desperate bandits, and investigating a bloodied farmhouse abandoned in eerie silence, trust has taken root. There’s a bond now, forged in cold nights, close calls, and the quiet understanding only danger can bring.

With coin in hand and dust on your boots, you make your way through Sandpoint’s bustling streets toward the warm lights of The Rusty Dragon. Rooms await. Food, ale, and perhaps music. The festival begins tomorrow. Tonight, you rest.

Session 1
The next day, the Swallowtail Festival was in full swing. After the opening speeches, the group joined the celebrations. The day was filled with merriment and friendly competition. Chen won the goblin toss, while Tristana claimed victory in both the drinking contest and the balance beam challenge. Octavian stepped into the mud to wrestle a pig and proved himself the clear victor. Caelwyn won the turkey shoot then the group spent a lively afternoon watching the dog races and enjoying the festival’s many delights.

At midday, you filled their bellies with generous helpings of fine food from every corner of town. Later, you watched the release of the swallowtail butterflies and took in the sight of a town truly alive with joy. But as Father Zantus began the consecration of the new cathedral the celebration shattered. Cries of horror split the air as goblins poured into the streets, singing their murderous song and setting buildings aflame. Chaos erupted.

The group sprang immediately to Sandpoint’s defense, cutting down goblins as they rampaged through the town. In the midst of the attack, Caelwyn saved a group of children by hurling a dagger that struck a goblin dead. The party also rescued the noble Aldern Foxglove, who was beset by a goblin riding a snarling goblin dog. After the battle, Aldern was thoroughly impressed especially so with Octavian and promised the group a generous reward.

By nightfall, the town had driven back the raid. The group spent the remainder of the evening hunting down scattered goblin stragglers and helping restore order to the shaken streets of Sandpoint. The festival would never be remembered the same way again.

Session 2
In the days following the goblin attack on Sandpoint, the town began to recover and celebrate the heroes who helped save it. The noble Aldern Foxglove approached the party with thanks and coin, inviting them on a boar hunt and even purchasing horses so they could ride out together. Deep in the wilds they faced and slew a massive boar, returning to Sandpoint with their prize to roast and celebrate.

Grateful townsfolk began offering the party generous discounts and warm praise for their bravery. That evening at the Rusty Dragon Inn, Lonjiku Kaijitsu caused a loud and bitter scene before storming away.

Soon after, Sheriff Belor Hemlock asked the party to investigate troubling news from the cemetery, where Father Zantus reported the tomb of the former high priest disturbed and the bones within stolen by what appeared to be goblins. The sheriff then gathered the party at the mayor’s manor and introduced them to the ranger Shalelu Andosana, and together they devised a plan while Hemlock prepared to ride to Magnimar to seek soldiers for Sandpoint’s defense.

But before the plan could begin, the group discovered that Ameiko Kaijitsu had gone missing, leading them to the Glassworks where they uncovered a grim betrayal her half-brother Tsuto Kaijitsu had murdered their father and led goblins within. After a brutal fight, the party slew Tsuto and discovered Ameiko bound and barely alive, leaving many questions about the growing threat surrounding Sandpoint.