Session 2: What would we do without you?

General Summary

Summary:
Nikfon hadn’t stayed behind because of illness—he was simply bored. While the rest of the group was out, he lingered at the inn before deciding to tail Elira. He followed her discreetly into the woods and discovered her at a nearby hunter's cabin, discussing interrogation plans with the survivor. She expressed concern that the other three might not survive on their own, and decided to find them.

Nikfon trailed her deeper into the forest, but Elira soon realized she was being followed and ambushed him. Once she recognized him, she motioned him to silence—they were both being watched. Together, they slipped away from their pursuer and made their way toward the bandit camp.

Meanwhile, the rest of the party had just survived their deadly skirmish with Elias and the bandits. As Nikfon and Elira arrived, they created a diversion, distracting Elias and drawing him into a chase through the forest. The plan worked, and the rest of the group was able to regroup.

The party freed the prisoners:

• A battered Ranger who immediately recognized Elira.
• A mysterious woman with a cold demeanor, claiming the Ranger had interfered with her plans.
• A grieving boy whose father had died in the ambush.

Ash searched Elias’s tent and discovered valuable evidence: a shipping manifest listing weapons and supplies, and a map marked with trade routes—clear signs of coordination and planning.

They returned to the Comfortable Wolf Inn and met again with Elira. She thanked them and asked one last favor: to travel to Rivermark and gather definitive proof linking the Merchants' Guild to Aben's Hounds.

Before departing, Gorun asked Darin about the refugee network. Darin didn’t know much but suggested the local druids might be helping the escapees.

That night, a traveling bard sang a haunting rendition of The Ballad of Dwerkivir, setting an eerie tone.

At dawn, the party joined a merchant caravan heading south. On the first night of travel, they noticed someone trailing them along the forest’s edge. Nikfon slipped away to investigate. That night, the caravan camped near a clearing. The stalker climbed a tree to rest. As Nikfon prepared an ambush, Ash—unaware of the stalker—approached him, startling the man. Before he could react, Nikfon loosed a prepared arrow—a critical hit.

The man bore a buckle marked with the emblem of the Hounds. The next day, the party reached Rivermark.

Key Events:

• Nikfon follows Elira, learns she’s worried for the party’s survival.
• They discover someone is tracking them.
• Nikfon and Elira create a diversion that allows the group to regroup safely.
• The party rescues three prisoners from the bandit camp.
• Ash finds a shipping manifest and a marked trade map in Elias’s tent.
• The group returns to the inn and plans the next step with Elira.
• Gorun inquires about the refugees; Darin hints at druidic involvement.
• That night, The Ballad of Dwerkivir is sung at the inn.
• The next day, they travel south with a caravan.
• Nikfon critically hits a stalker who turns out to be a member of the Hounds.
• The party reaches Rivermark.

Notable NPCs:

• Elira Voss – Acts to protect the party; plays a crucial role in Elias’s distraction.
• Elias Varkon – Pursues Elira and Nikfon after abruptly leaving the camp battle.
• Survivor – Left behind with the captured bandit.
• Three Prisoners – A Ranger, a veiled woman with secrets, and a grieving boy.
• Darin Craven – Innkeeper who hints at druid involvement in the refugee rescue.
• Unidentified Hound – Killed by Nikfon during the caravan journey.

Loot & Clues:

• Shipping manifest detailing supplies such as weapons and oil.
• Map of local trade routes tied to the bandits’ operations.
• Hound insignia buckle from the stalker’s belt.

Roleplaying Highlights:

• Nikfon’s stealthy shadowing and ambush of the stalker.
• Elira and Nikfon's adventures through the Forest.
• The interaction with the mysterious prisoner woman.
• The interaction between the orphan and Azahel.

Next Steps:

• Investigate the Merchants' Guild in Rivermark.
• Locate hard evidence of corruption and conspiracy.

Missions/Quests Completed

Investigate the Bandit Camp

Character(s) interacted with

Elira Voss, Darin Craven