Session 1

It has only been a few days since I have left home. Grandpa may or may not have connected the dots about my leaving. I didn't exactly tell him, but I wasn't exactly hiding my intentions either. Before I went home for the evening, he gave me his spice pouch. The one he used all those years when he was serving the front lines, the one he used when he taught me to hunt and prepare my own meat. So, I think he knew I was leaving, or at least suspected it. I miss him, he was the only one who even tried to understand how I was feeling.
 
My first morning on the road, I was met with trouble. Some goblins tried to get the jump on me and steal my sword. A group of, merchants? mercenaries? arrived and at first a hollered for them to stay back. I didn't need anyone else's blood on my hands. But they insisted on fighting and aiding me. Truth be told, I'm glad they did. We managed to take them down and then made some quick introductions. They are a group from Shimmerlake, on their way to Maford. They were tasked with delivering some box and a missive to the Stagdews. After a detour to a cave, we made it to Maford and the Stagdew estate. Arlanval and Ashton were the only two of the group who continued on to the Stagdew's after arriving in town. Seeing no reason not to, and being offered to join them, I tagged along.
 
It was here we met up with another person, Velvet, who was sent along with us to sign up to aid in a bandit problem. While talking with the leader of this mission, two other joined us., Chael and Harper. I'll add my thoughts on them at the end of my writings.
 
We were not leaving until the next morning, so we set off to do some shopping and selling, as well as find a place to rest for the night. Chael offered to aid me in selling some of the materials and helped me earn a nice profit. More than I could have asked for, and more than I needed. So I insisted on him taking the additional gold.
 
We found rooms at a local tavern, but we did need to double up, so Velvet and I shared a room. I was uncomfortable with this, as I had only just met her. But she hadn't not yet done anything to cause much concern.
 
The next morning, we set off finding our way to the bandits camp. We were supposed to go in the front and clear it out, offering a distraction, while the others entered through the back. But that didn't go to plan.
 
While taking out the guards on the wall, Harper decided to open a random door and caused a commotion, so we had to enter from the top floor. Chael seemed intent to keep people alive, although I'm not sure as to why, not sure they deserve the grace he is offering, but that is his prerogative, not mine.
 
We slowly made our way through each room. finding lots of bits and pieces that all seemed to point to some kind of cult activity. Thats not much my thing, I don't really know much about that stuff. It took a while, but we did manage to make it through, though Ashton fell a couple times, and even Velvet once at the end. I too came close to falling, but managed to survive somehow.
 
Its a curious group of people I've found myself with. It is to be determined if we all stick together or not. I have no objections, so long as they don't force me back to Shimmerlake anytime soon.
 
Arlanval - a human, hails from Shimmerlake, I believe he is associated with the magic academy. I don't think he teaches, perhaps a student, or maybe assistant of some sort? Seem quite adept with magic and even daggers. Most magic users I know, do their best to avoid any kind of melee. While he didn't seek out melee action, he didn't hesitate once forced.
 
Ashton - a human, not exactly from Shimmerlake, but close enough I suppose. He was hired to travel along with the Arlanval and the others. He too wields a great sword. He seems very adept at the weapon, and didn't hesitate to join me when I ran right into the hall at one point. He seems, like while he can take the hits, they knock him out fast. Hopefully that gets better.
 
Velvet -a tiefling, she seems very adept in her abilities. She found a lot of the useful information in the bandit camp. Very capable.
 
Chael - a human, young. I think he may even be younger than I. Speaks with a very thick accent. But he was very friendly and tried to refuse the gold I gave him, since it was all my extra profit. I insisted though. I don't need it. He seemed very capable, however squeamish at the site of all the blood. He seems to prefer sparing lives, which goes against all I have been taught. So long as he doesn't intervene with my fighting, he is free to do as he wishes.
 
Harper - a tiefling. Very loud, very talkative. I feel like he enjoys speaking just to hear his own voice. He also doesn't pay any heed to his surroundings and could cause a lot of trouble for us if he keeps opening doors when we are infiltrating camps and fortresses. He needs to learn to be patient and at least wait for everyone to be ready before rushing in like a fool. Seems like he will need a lot of saving if that is how he chooses to work.