Sandpoint

Location overview

Sandpoint is a small but prosperous coastal town situated on the cliff-lined shores of the Varisian Gulf, at the mouth of the Turandarok River in the frontier region of Varisia. Home to roughly a thousand souls, it is a mosaic of native Varisians, Chelish settlers, Tian merchants, and wandering Shoanti. Its skyline is dominated by the Cathedral of Sandpoint, a grand multi-faith Temple completed in time for the Swallowtail Festival.
Locals speak of the Late Unpleasantness, a period some years prior marked by a devastating fire and murders committed by a disturbed priest. The town is ringed by wilderness, including the wooded Sandpoint Hinterlands to the north, known for boar hunting and tracking wildlife. A river runs through the region; Goblin Tribes lurk in the surrounding wilds, ancient ruins dot the countryside, and the cliffs hide sea caves with murky histories.
Sandpoint is led by a mayor elected by citizens who own property in town. The current mayor is Kendra Deverin. She answers to the Town Council, made up of a member of each merchant family (Deverin, Kaijitsu, Valdemar, and Scarnetti), the city planner, and the priest of Desna. The town has a lumber mill and a garrison that serves as a base for local law enforcement, including Sheriff Belor Hemlock.
The Swallowtail Festival was interrupted by a Mutated Goblin-Like Creature attack, first fought in Cathedral Square and then at the north gate, where Aldern Foxglove and his dog were rescued. Wounded were treated before the Cathedral by the Cleric Of Desna, while Sheriff Hemlock ordered a town sweep for Goblins. During the chaos, a Mutated Goblin-Like Creature entered a house through the chimney, killed a man hidden in a wardrobe, and was slain by The Party. At the Boneyard, The Party found Father Tobyn’s empty sarcophagus, animated skeletons, a robbed Robe Of Bones, goblin tracks leading over the city wall, and human-sized tracks inside the tomb. Damaged streets and a burned clothier stall required repair.
Ameiko of the Rusty Dragon hosted visitors, providing upstairs bedrooms and food and securing The Tavern overnight. Esquik demonstrated a black-powder firearm there, attracting patrons and prompting discussion about local smith Savah. Lucien staged a prank at Billy Barwin’s room, waking the inn; later snowfall brought breakfast and a new call for help. The town includes a market square, a fine clothing shop, the Curious Goblin bookshop, the Pixie's Kitten, the Fatman's Feedback, the Hagfish, the Red Dog Smithy, Savah's Armory, Junker's Edge, Sandpoint Glassworks, a sawmill, and Scarnetti Manor. Ameiko Kaijitsu's family house is on the outskirts of town.
With increased goblin activity and local unrest, Belor Hemlock traveled to Magnimar for militia reinforcements, leaving the town without law enforcement and asking The Party to remain. They accepted deputation, received The Watch, and were compensated for protecting the town. Smoke rose from the chimneys of Sandpoint Glassworks, but no workers were present when The Party investigated after a midnight meeting was requested there. The Glassworks, Smuggling Tunnels, and the river were identified as routes for a larger attack. A concealed passage and ruin entrance beneath the Glassworks lead outward toward the coast and into constructed ruins distinct from other parts of Sandpoint. The Glassworks was damaged by fire; local Guards cleared corpses from the site, and Kendra Deverin thanked The Party for their assistance.
Madame Basti, who resides in a manor granted to her as part of Sandpoint’s founding agreement, summoned The Party to her manor. The town lacked a sheriff and faced an imminent organized assault via local infrastructure; the Goblin Tribes in the area were unusually united and following a leader. Nualia planned a second raid after taming the whispering beast, gathering Goblin Tribes from as far away as the Fogscar Mountains, and burning Sandpoint. Her notes revealed plans to sacrifice the townspeople to Lamashtu.
North of Sandpoint, Thistletop is accessible through the denser forest of the Nettlewood. Belor Hemlock returned during a snowfall, provided the party with 30 gold, and requested assistance traveling north to Thistletop. The party agreed to protect Sandpoint while Shalelu conducted a scouting mission, then left at 16. The journey to Thistletop took about five hours, including four hours to reach the 8th Forest and one hour through it.
The Party returned with Nualia bound and Lucien unconscious; Hannah, a local midwife, treated Lucien at Eliza's request. Rasvantin and Esquik brought Nualia to Sheriff Hemlock as Townspeople gathered. Hemlock placed her in the garrison cellar while he and The Mayor deliberated. The proprietor of the Rusty Dragon read Nualia's Journal and discussed her and her brother. The following day, Hemlock arranged for her to be sent to Magnimar for trial. The Party departed under escort with a Sandpoint badge that identified them as coming from the town and facilitated their admission through Magnimar’s closed gates. Captain Noonane recorded their account, and Justice Ironbriar took custody of Nualia.
The town has experienced a Goblin attack, and ancient runes beneath it contain writings attributed to Nualia. Local blacksmiths are attempting to replicate a weapon reported to have a similar use. The Hellknights traced a black-market seller of an Alkenstar-style black-powder firearm to Sandpoint and received temporary permission to investigate the town’s connection to smuggling. They possess proof implicating Saba Piveniki. After a recent blizzard, Sandpoint appeared peaceful and busy with market-day activity. Saba’s Shop was closed and empty, with many belongings removed and a note in Ysoki found inside. Rumors about Bisky circulated, accompanied by forged evidence planted in his tavern. Sheriff Hemlock later reported a murder at the sawmill.
The lumber mill became the site where two bodies were found, along with a note addressed to Ruby. Esquik’s partner had disappeared, allegedly hidden by Sandpoint’s other two ratfolk. Evidence of smuggling was planted in Jubrayl Vhiski’s office by Rasvantin Torvashti and Esquik. After assisting with the investigation, the group was reinstated as deputies by Sheriff Hemlock. They gathered guards’ accounts of earlier murders before leaving Sandpoint for the sanatorium.