Session 1: A New Begining Report

General Summary

Session 1 – Wednesday July the 6th 2022 – The Beginning

4.5 Hour session 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM

Party of 5 (The Stone Bearers):

It is the 18th day of the month of Elient (The Fading) in the 50th year of the Age of Enialis (Mid-September just before the fall equinox.)

• Abrash – Wood (Dessert) Elf L1 Druid – Jacob Munson
• Ajani– High Elf L1 Wizard – Nathan Gioconda
• Gazlowe – Goblin L1 Artificer – Josh Pozsonyi
• Thomas – Human L1 Blood hunter – Ryan Armstrong (Remote)
• Gurthen – Dwarf L1 Paladin – Spencer Armstrong
• Isabella – Forest Gnome L1 Cleric – Jackie Armstrong (Taking care of a Sick Maggie)

Goals:

• Deliver a caravan of supplies from Loudwater to Zelbross.

Hired hands

It's the Fall of 50 AOE. Traders are hiring escorts to go along the 2 1/2 day trail from Zelbross to Loudwater. The Bandit raiding parties have been getting bolder since the rebuilding of cities on the Sword coast. Gurthen spoke for the party when he negotiated the rate from 60gp to 72gp (12 gp/person.) They received 6gp each up front and were warned that if they don’t deliver within 4 days or if any items are damaged, the Zhentarim will extract a fee.

An Elf in the woods

On the 2nd day of travel along the road they heard dogs barking in the forest. Looking downhill to the forest on the other side of the river they saw an elf with a bloodied leg and tattered clothes running out. The party stopped the wagon and started calling the elf running. The Elf saw the party and began to cross the river, and a crossbow bolt shot from the forest and hit the ground near the elf.

Ajani went down the hill towards the river and froze a portion of the river near the shore making it a bit easier to cross the wide river. Gurthen, using the frozen portion as a starting point, was able to jump over the river. Abrash tried to distract the dogs, but the dogs were focused on the elf. Thomas fired at the dogs but missed.

Two ruffians ran out of the forest and yelled “Stop!” to the Elf. Gazlowe cast grease in front of the dogs, but the dogs were far too dexterous and stood their ground. Ajani expanded the ice another 5 feet to make the crossing easier. Thomas yelled to the elf to quickly cross and took another shot at the dogs and missed. The Elf stepped into the river and slowly tried to struggle across, but the dogs bit the elf and grappled him, and they dragged him back to the shore. Gurthen was able to break the dog's grapple and picked up the elf, but as Gurthen tried to escape with the elf, one of the dogs grappled Gurthen and wounded his leg badly. Abrash cast speak with animals and tried to convince the dogs to let go, but the dogs simply replied, “It’s our job” with mouths full of leg and fish. They refused to listen to anyone other than their master. Two more bandits emerged from the forest in pursuit of the Elf.The first two bandits walked up to where the dogs and slipped in the grease. Gazlowe shot a firebolt at the dogs and killed one of them.

Negotiating

The men chasing the elf yelled out, “Stop Thief!” Abrash suspected they were lying. Gurthen took another crossbow bolt and wasn’t looking so good. A large man sauntered out of the woods behind the other bandits and said, “We need our Elf back.” Gurthen dropped his sword and said, “Call off your dogs.” The bandits walked up and put a sack over the Elf. The Elf looked at the party and said, “Help me!”

Thomas asked to treat the Elf’s wounds and was permitted to do so by the thugs. The large thug who arrived last said to the other men, “You know what to do.” Then he left. After he left the party continued to ask what the Elf did, and the answers were vague: “Thievery of supplies.” Gazlowe asked “What’s he worth to you?” To which the remaining bandits quickly replied, “15 gp.” Abrash took out 16 gp and offered it to the bandits in trade for the elf. The bandits took it and ran away in a different direction than their boss Karl went, leaving the Elf behind in the sack. Abrash saw that the dead dog was a warfling and that no one else was coming from the woods. Gurthen took the dog and the elf out of the edge of the woods and towards the cart. The party discovered that his name was Revalor Miadi and that he lives in Zelbross. As thanks, Revalor, who works in an apothecary, offered to give them the endurance and strength of a bear if the party would give him the blood of a Cave bear who lives near Zelbross, and a discount on his goods upon arrival, if only the party would get him to his home safely. He told the party that for the past several years there has potentially been a sort of slave trade going on the High Forest. The party agreed and made him a comfortable spot on the cart and continued their journey to Zelbross.

Traveling to Zelbross

The party succeeded in protecting and navigating the cart. Abrash looked for danger as he told Ajani about a dragon egg that he stole (as he drew a map and drove the cart), Ajani followed the stars as he recalled Giving of Thanks Day in the desert, Thomas looked out for the cart not to be damaged by anything on the road as he talked to Gurthen about an embarrassing bee sting, Gurthen shouted out and had an intimidating presence on the cart as he told Thomas about his diamond habits, and Gazlowe looked to nature to see what kind of alternate paths could safely be taken along this road as he told Gurthen and Thomas about his dreams of having mountains of gold to horde like the legendary Scrouge McGoose.

The day continued. Thomas prayed to have the cart be guided by his deity as he described what he assumed Gaz and Ajani smelled like, Abrash made sure the oxen were doing well as he complimented Gurthen’s beard, Ajani looked out for danger along the road as he clarified that Thomas did not want his 5 gold pieces back, Gurthen helped the oxen pull the cart as he cleared up that Ajani did not mean to call him fat, and Gazlow made a compass to keep them on the right path to Zelbross as he spoke with Abrash about how he expects Abrash would take the fall for him if need be.

The Apothecary and the Bear Cave

They arrived in the prosperous city of Zelbross and delivered all the goods to Barthen’s provisions, receiving slightly more than their profits, and then went right to Revelor’s apothecary just 2 doors down. Revelor greeted everyone with his family and offered 20% off his goods, gave them a potion of healing for saving his life with some intimidation, and reminded them about the Cave bear with which blood he can extend the party’s life. The party set out immediately and discovered none of them had ever hunted a “Cave bear” before, but figured the bear might be in the cave at this time. The party somewhat, but not really, had a plan. Gurthen and Gazlow attempted to climb up above the mouth of the cave so that they could throw a big rock off, after Gazlow put something on the ground that would make a sound when stepped on, just outside of the cave mouth. Thomas, Ajani, and Abrash went in, Thomas going ahead of the others to stealthily steal some of its blood.

“I’ve never seen a bear not killed by a boulder landing on top of it”

Gurthen and Gazlow began to make quite a bit of racket as they unskillfully scaled the cliffside. Thomas, very stealthily and carefully, made his way to the back of the cave holding a small candle for light, and Abrash and Ajani, noticing the enormous bear tracks, went into a smaller tunnel hoping to see him on the other side by the bear. Gazlow found an assortment of boulders, and Gurthen went up to the largest of them all and shoved a crowbar in between it and the cliffside, waiting for the bear to exit the cave beneath. Ajani and Abrash were loud enough in the cave to attract the bear’s attention and it charged at them, clawing through the rock to reach them, giving Thomas the opportunity to sneak up behind the bear and take a flask of blood out of it without the bear even noticing. Abrash and Ajani strategically backed out the narrow part of the cave as Abrash tried to poison the bear and ask for his blood. Thomas got a second vial and miraculously was still not noticed by the Cave bear when it turned around. The bear ran 80 feet out of the cave as Abrash successfully now poisoned the Cave bear and Ajani hid very well behind a tree. Gazlow and Gurthen both yanked back on the crowbar as they heard a loud scream from Gazlow’s plate trigger and the enormous boulder came crashing down on top of the bear, very nearly killing it completely. Thomas dashed out and saw the sight and said, “that seems largely unnecessary”, Ajani remained out of the bear’s way, and Abrash attempted to poison spray it but it’s constitution was too great. The bear was restrained completely by the rock and Gurthen decided two rocks should do it. He pushed another smaller one off the cliff with the crowbar and it landed directly on the huge bear paw that was sticking out from underneath the boulder, killing it.

The endurance of a bear – The STONE BEARERS

The party was able to extract the 5 flasks of blood from the flattened bear. They made it to Revalor just after nightfall. Revalor spent some time with it and converted it into 5 potions. They party all drank their potions and gained their level 2 hit points. The party all felt stronger and started referring to themselves as the Stone Bearers. They spent the night under the stars on a nearby farm. Abrash made a lean-to to protect them from the elements.

In the morning Gazlowe went back to the general store and bought a tent for 2gp. Revalor’s daughter was in the general store, and she saw Gazlowe and ran to tell her parents. Revalor came out and found Gazlowe. He told them that a friend of his, Mr. Homn, is in need of some help. Gazlowe went to gather the rest of the party from the farm and brought them back to Revalor’s home.

Mr. Homn

The party was introduced to a tall and very skinny Goliath, Mr. Homn. Mr. Homn began using sign language to explain the situation and Revalor translated. He said Lord Blackmoor's son is missing and they’re looking for heroes to help him. The party said in unison, we are the Stone Bearers. Mr. Homn signed and Revalor translated, “Time is of the essence, the situation is urgent.” They party followed Mr. Homn to the Blackmoor Mansion.

The Blackmoor Mansion

It was still early when they arrived at the Blackmoor mansion. Mr. Homn led them from the entrance to a stone meeting chamber. In the room, there was an obese man in his middle years pacing behind a large oak table. Sweat was beading on his balding head. Behind him stood a slender woman clad in leather armor. Despite being much thinner, she bore a conspicuous resemblance to the man.

He motioned with his pudgy hand and said, “I am Lord Alberich Blackmoor, and this is my sister, Zoreene. Please come and sit down. Thank you for arriving so quickly. We don’t have much time. I fear that every hour that passes brings my dear Willet closer to his death.” The party asked few questions, and Lord Blackmoor told them much. They learned that Willet is 10 years old, and he is Blackmoor's only remaining child and heir (his eldest son (Alberich) and wife (Gwyennevia) died in a tragic fire when Willet was just a baby).

Near dusk the previous day, Willet was playing by the creek that runs through the grounds near the back of the estate. Two guards accompanied him. When the group did not return for dinner, the butler went searching for them. He found both guards slain and the boy missing.

Lord Blackmoor's twin sister Zoreene (who is commander of the guard) investigated the area. Dagger thrusts and sling stones killed the guards, though one man was also badly burned. The party confirmed the dagger is that of a Kobold’s. Zoreene confirmed that she found kobold tracks a short distance from the creek. The tracks followed the creek to the east for nearly a mile before disappearing.

In the past, kobolds have stolen livestock to sacrifice to their god, Kurtulmak, on the solstices and equinoxes. Willet’s kidnapping marks the first time they have ever taken a person. Since the fall equinox is tomorrow, they will sacrifice him at sundown tomorrow! The kobolds are believed to lair in the ruins of Firestone Keep, an ancient and abandoned fortress several miles east of the village. Lord Blackmoor hired a local tracker last night, Rowan Quickford, to follow the tracks. He had not returned.

Lord Blackmoor offered to pay 200gp for the safe return of his son. Zoreene seemed to wince at the high price, but she was very helpful in leading the party to the trail to Firestone Keep. Lord Blackmoor would not permit Zoreene or any of the remaining guards to accompany the party into the keep.

The trail

Zoreene lead the party towards the hill and the overgrown path that led towards the ruins of Firestone keep. There really wasn’t much of a path but Gurthen started cutting through the bramble to blaze somewhat of a trail. Zoreene headed back to her brother as the party began to make progress. After some time, some of the party heard the twang of a crossbow as it hit a nearby tree. Anjani shot a ray of frost in the direction the bolt came from, and hit a bandit in the brush, the Bandit stood up and fired at Ajani, but missed and started running away. A 2nd bandit stood up and shot at Gurthen. A 3rd shot at Abrash and hit him. Abrash moved forward and dove into the brush. Ajani hit the first bandit again and killed him. The leader shouted out, “It’s not worth it, fire and retreat!”

Gurthen threw a javelin at the leader and hit him in the leg. Thomas took off his shield and prepared his heavy crossbow. Abrash moved forward again and ducked back down in the brush. Gazlowe smacked a steel rod against Gurthen’s armor and cast a firebolt at the leader, hurting him badly. Ajani hit the leader with a ray of frost. The severely wounded leader dropped his crossbow, held up his arms and yelled, “Stop.” The other bandits ran away.

Gazlowe found a small pouch on the dead bandit that had 5gp in it. The Leader took his pouch and threw it in front of the party and said, “Just don’t kill me!” The pouch contained 20gp, a Potion of healing and a Potion of climbing. Thomas said, “He should keep his Potion of healing as he’s very wounded.” The rest of the party disagreed. Abrash, eating some Goodberrys, gave the Bandit one, and Thomas used his bandages to stop the bleeding.

Galen

Being interrogated by Gurthen, the thug leader of the bandits said his name was Galen and he’s just a hired mercenary from Zelbross. He told them that he was hired two days ago to ambush any adventurers travelling on this path. The transaction took place in a dark alleyway, and his employer wore a heavy cloak and spoke in a breathy, raspy voice. They asked if he had attacked anyone else. Galen told them he hadn’t, and the party looked at him suspiciously. He told them he was paid 20gp. Thomas gave him his crossbow back and told him to consider an alternate career path.

Grape Vines

The party moved on up the hill and came across some wild grape vines. The vines had been well stripped, but they did find a few grapes. Gurthen lead the party stealthily. But he wasn’t looking for traps as he stepped on a pit trap. Fortunately, he was able to grab ahold of the sides of the pit and didn’t fall all the way in. The party struggled to help, eventually Abrash stuck a shovel into the side of the pit to help Gurthen get out. Thomas took the lead at that point, cautiously, and using his knowledge of nature to look for traps as he went. When

Abrash was 200 ft. away from the ruins he looked up at it, recognizing at one point in time it might have been an impressive fortress. He spotted a small reptilian creature. The two made eye contact and the kobold yelped and dove into the debris. Abrash told the others, “They know we’re here.”

Into the ruins

They made their way up to the ruins of the keep. They saw several kobold tracks along with tracks of at least one Giant Weasel. They easily spotted a set of stairs going down but saw no other sign of a 2nd entrance. The party walked down the steps, into the darkness and Thomas lit his whip like a torch. Gurthen examined the stonework and felt confident that it was very old and not made by kobolds.

The smell of old dust and mold battled with the pungent stench of decaying flesh. At the bottom of the stairs, the passage curved back and forth snakelike, having been roughly hewn from gray and tan stone. Everything was quiet save the distant sound of running water. Deep shelves were carved into the passage walls at chest height. The alcoves were filled with old bones and decaying clothes. They noticed that one of the shelf openings was covered with a dark, hard mud. Gazlowe couldn’t resist and walked up to it and began digging at the dry mud. As soon as he broke through the mud two giant mud hornets flew from their hive and began to attack.

Giant Mud Hornets

The first hornet stung Gazlowe an nearly knocked him out. Gazlowe hit it with a hand axe. Gurthen told everyone to back away and told the hornets, “Stay.” Thomas stepped back and prepared his whip in case the hornet moved. The 2nd hornet chased after Gurthen, Thomas hit it with the whip, Abrash hit it with his scimitar as it flew by, and Ajani stabbed at it with his dagger, but he missed. The Hornet hit Gurthen with a glancing blow. Ajani tried to hit with his ray of frost but missed. Abrash killed one of the hornets with his poison spray. The first hornet started to move but Gazlowe had cast Booming Blade on his first attack and the when the hornet moved, it died.

Gurthen was down 5 hp and Gazlowe was down 13. Abrash gave Gazlowe 5 of his Goodberrys which Gazlowe quickly consumed, leaving Abrash with only 3. The party continued on into the darkness…

Campaign

The Forest

Protagonists

Thomas Elliot

Abrash Asim

Chaotic Good Moon Wood Elf (Folk Hero)
Druid 1

9 / 9 HP

STR
7

DEX
10

CON
13

INT
8

WIS
19

CHA
14

Report Date

09 Jul 2022