Hello everyone!
I've recently started playing in a Rise of the Runelords campaign, it will be replacing my Ocean's Curse campaign journal, as I'm playing in Rise of the Runelords, not running it.
I'm playing a Dwarf Ranger named Igmar Desgun, his backstory was detailed in my last entry. I'm hoping for a good time, as Rise of the Runelords is very well received from what I see, and after just one session I'm already having a ton of fun!
Part 1: Festival and Fire.
Participants:
Ermine - Human Fighter 1
Igmar - Dwarf Ranger 1
Sistra - Halfling Sorcerer 1
Sucre - Human Monk 1
Tilik - Gnome Cleric 1
The sleepy fishing town of Sandpoint was caught up in a flurry of excitement for the last few weeks, as the Swallowtail Festival was being planned and put together. Five years ago the town cathedral was burnt down in the terrible Sandpoint Fire. Only recently has it been reconstructed and the Swallowtail Festival is to be a celebration of its grand opening.
Igmar woke up nice and early to see the opening ceremonies, he wandered groggily over the food stall, which was being run by longtime friend Sistra, the cheerful halfling bartender, and newcomer Sucre. After receiving a mug of hot coffee he sat down and watched the opening speeches. After listening to Mayor Deverin, Sheriff Hemlock, showman Cyrdak Drokkus and Father Zantus give their short speeches he grabs another mug of coffee and wanders over to one of the tents where he has spotted another newcomer, who bears the symbol of Desna on his shield.
Igmar: Hello there, I haven't seen you around before, new in town?
Tilik: Indeed, I arrived very recently, I'm mostly here for the festival.
Igmar: I see on your shield, that you hold to Desna, a fine choice.
Tilik: Indeed I do, you as well?
Igmar: I'm not a fervant worshiper, but the I follow the Starchild. The names Igmar Desgun.
Tilik: Tilik, nice to meet you.
The two shake hands and get back to checking out the tent. Meanwhile a large and muscular woman is taking part in a test of strength. Most of the previous contestants had failed to ring the bell, but she brought the hammer down, and the bell was launched right off the top of the pole, much to the amazement of the onlookers.
Igmar and Tilik sauntered over to the food tent where Igmar ordered another coffee and some fruit-a-bread. He was approached by Sucre, a bald human, wearing clean white and brown monastic robes, and looking rather inquisitive.
Sucre: Excuse me, but you're a dwarf correct?
Sucre: I've never seen a dwarf without a beard before, why don't you have a beard.
Igmar: It's a long story, full of sighs.
Igmar had gotten used to the persistent questions about his past, and understood the curiosity of other folks at his abnormal choice. At this point the woman from the strength test walked by.
Sucre: You're really strong.
Ermine: Thank you, I work out.
Sucre and Ermine hen got roped into a game of tug-o-war, it was close, and might have gone either way at the beginning but Ermine held her ground and Sucre lost soundly. Igmar was fairly surprised at the fighters strength as well, but nonetheless he challenged her to a tug-o-war as well. He emerged victorious, no doubt thanks to his stable stature, and Ermine's fatigue after her previous match. The remainder of the day passed by with little excitement the releasing of a thousand swallowtail butterflies was a highlight, but eventually it was time for the closing speeches. Father Zantus stepped on the podium, and threw a thunderstone to the floor to get everyone's attention, when suddenly all hell broke loose.
A scream pierced the air, followed by another, and another. Igmar looked around, cursing his short stature, searching for the source. Then he saw it, by one of the wagons several small creatures with wide heads, toothy mouths and sharp short swords had emerged and were running rampant. 'Damn it, goblins now of all times?' thought Igmar. He reached for his bow and then cursed to himself, 'impossible to shoot through this crowd.' He readied his battleaxe and was about to move in when he saw others mobilizing.
Ermine charged in first, at a goblin attacking a dog, but her swing missed. Sucre began to push through the crown to get into the fight, and Sistra began to cast some self buffing spells. Igmar moved in, the crowd making it difficult to be speedy, but he managed to draw a goblins attention away from a small child. Tilik hung back and channeled positive energy, healing some injured townsfolk. The group made short work of the goblins, but more were coming. Across the parade ground another group of goblins was moving in, led by a stronger looking goblin singing a fairly gruesome song. The party made their way over, except for Igmar, who was finally able to shoot through the dispersed crowd.
With the second group beaten back, things were starting to calm down in the area. Several screams were still coming from the north, so the group made their way. Near the north gate of Sandpoint hey hear a goblin's raspy voice yell "Die dog die!" Another small group of goblins is here, and have a nobleman cornered, having just killed his guard dog. Igmar shouts a quick word for the nobleman to stay hidden, this also serves the purpose of getting the goblins attention. Igmar moves into shooting position while the rest of the group moves forward. The goblins charge forward and one leaps into the air, it is swatted aside by Ermine's sward, as is a second one, but a third leaps past her blade and grabs onto her face. She tears the grabby goblin free as Igmar steps forward cutting it in half.
When the goblins are defeated the noble steps out of his hiding place and thanks the group profusely. He introduces himself as Aldern Foxglove, and begins focusing much of his attention on Ermine, complimenting her skills and good looks. He insists the group has dinner with him in the future and then hurries home.
The group makes their way down to a tavern called The Rusty Dragon. They are greeted with thanks from many citizens, some even call them heroes. Ameiko Kaijitsu, the owner of The Rusty Dragon offers the group free room and board for a week as her way of thanking the group. Igmar, who intends to stay in town for a few days in case of another raid accepts her offer, then sits down to a hot cup of tea.