Thistletop

The island of Thistletop sits in the Varisian Gulf off the coast of the Nettlewood. This strangely round rock formation contains an intricate and ancient ruin which delves deep into the center of the island. Currently held by the Thistletop goblins, the site was actually once the head of a giant sentinel statue of the Thassilonian nation. Over the years since the fall of the empire, the crumbling statue's head has worn down into a spherical stone, though to this day, locals still claim to see the face hidden within the eroded rock.

Demographics

Goblin, Human, Hobgoblin, Bugbear

Government

The goblins are ruled by Chief Ripnuggett. Warchief Ripnugget is the leader of the Thistletop goblins of Varisia. He preferred to fight from the back of his pet giant lizard Stickfoo, where he tosses bombs at his foes, per Shalelu

Defences

The village has a rope bridge that connects it from the island to the Nettlewood. The village is surrounded by a large wooden fence.

Guilds and Factions

Nualia is working with the goblins to destroy Sandpoint.
Many goblins feel drawn to the Thistletop island. Traditionally, the Thistletop goblins are led by clerics of Lamashtu. For this reason, they are incredibly superstitious and territorial.

History

The island had an unusual genesis—it was once the head of one of Karzoug's sentinel statues that stood upon the ridge of land called the Rasp before the nation of Bakrakhan became the Varisian Gulf, per Shialu.

Architecture

The magical nature of the statue's construction drastically slowed the process of erosion on the head's features, and when the sun hits the western cliff of the isle just right, one can just make out the ancient features of the statue's face. The statue once contained a small complex, but today only a few of the original rooms within the head itself remain accessible.

Geography

Thistletop is located on the Varisian coast—approaching by land is difficult since the tangles of Nettlewood are in the way. Thistletop is a curiously round island about 60 feet off shore, connected to the mainland by a rope bridge. While the party can certainly attempt to reach Thistletop by the sea or by traveling along the beaches, they'll still need to navigate the treacherous sea cliffs to get to the stockade built atop the island. The cliffs themselves are 80 feet high, and since the damp sea air makes the walls slick—no easy task.

RUINED SETTLEMENT
Starfall Cataclysm

Type

Outpost / Base

Population

70

Location under

Thassilon Empire