Sandpoint, Part II

As one approaches the town of Sandpoint, the footprint of civilization upon the Lost Coast grows more clear. Farmlands in the outlying moors and river valleys grow more numerous, and the blue-green waters of the Varisian Gulf bear more and more fi shing vessels upon its surface. Passage over creeks and rivers is more
often accomplished by wooden bridge than ford, and the Lost Coast Road itself grows wider and better-kept. Sight of Sandpoint from either approach (south or east) is kept hidden by the large upthrust limestone pavements known as the Devil’s Platter or the arc of rocky outcroppings known as Whistler’s Tors, but as the fi nal bend in the road is rounded, Sandpoint’s smoking chimneys and bustling streets greet the traveler with open arms and the promise of warm beds, a welcome sight indeed for those who have spent the last few days alone on the Lost Coast Road. From the south, entrance to Sandpoint is governed by a wooden bridge, while from the north a low stone wall gives the town a bit of protection. Here, the Lost Coast Road passes through a stone gatehouse that is generally watched by one or two guards—the southern bridge is typically unattended. Aside from the occasional goblin, the citizens of Sandpoint have traditionally had little worries about invasion or banditry—the region simply isn’t populated enough to make theft a lucrative business. Hanging from a bent nail at both the gatehouse and the southern bridge is a sign and a mirror—painted on each sign is the message: “Welcome to Sandpoint!
Please stop to see yourself as we see you!”

Sandpoint

Sandpoint : The home town of the heroes. The Swallowtail festival in honor of Desna is just around the corner. It seems to be all that is on anyone's lips these days.

Here are some rumors from around town:

• Sheriff Hemlock shares a long-running, “secret” romancewith Lady Kaye, madam of the town brothel.

• The ghost of the murderer Chopper haunts Chopper’s Isle,just north of town.

• The White Deer Inn used to be the Black Deer Inn, but was tastefully renamed after it's recent fire.

• Ask Ven Vinder at the general store to see the “wine cellar” and he’ll sell you a jug of disgusting but potent orc rotgut.

• Farmer Grump claims the Sandpoint Devil, a horselike monster with bat wings, once flew off with one of his prized sows.

• Old Ilsoari at the museum sometimes wanders the beach at night, looking for treasures.

• Don’t go down to the junktoss after dark: goblins steal the trash at night.

• Solsta Vinder claims Sczarni stole her sheets last week and two cooling pies a week before that.

• The new cathedral is magically protected from catching fire.

• Murdermaw, a giant red snapper big enough to bite a boat in half, lurks in the Varisian Bay.

• The Deverin family was once affiliated with the Chelish resistance, but was forced to flee to Varisia.

For your own copy of 'A Treatise on the Local Whereabouts of Sandpoint and It's Surrounds' please visit The Curious Goblin book store. Copies are going fast, so get yours today. (E-mail me for a large .pdf copy of the map above and a desription of the buildings in town.)