Session 1: The Ambush Site

General Summary

Summary:
Ash and Azahel leave the inn to investigate the caravan attack site, while Nikfon stays behind, pretending to have a stomach ache. Less than an hour into the forest, they arrive at the scene. They find a broken arrow with a wolf’s head carved into the shaft—clear evidence linking the attack to Aben’s Hounds.

While following the tracks deeper into the forest, they encounter Gorun—a grim and battle-worn half-orc. He claims to have been with a group of refugees that was ambushed. Though suspicious, Ash and Azahel believe his story and agree to help him once their current mission is done.

The trail leads them to a clearing guarded by two bandits. Using the trees for cover, the party launches an ambush. Gorun knocks one bandit unconscious while the other flees, triggering a chase. Ash uses his druidic magic to cast Entangle, ensnaring the runner. Gorun then makes a brutal decision: one prisoner is enough. He kills the unconscious bandit in cold blood, shocking the others.

Inside the clearing, they find a badly injured caravan guard—the sole survivor of the raid. After a tense exchange with Gorun, the party brings him back toward the inn. They meet Elira at the forest’s edge, where Gorun asks about the refugees. She has no answers.

The survivor shares limited information about the bandit camp’s location. Elira marks a likely area on the map and gives the party a single healing potion. She and the survivor escort the captive bandit to a different site for further interrogation. The others press on toward the camp.

At the riverbank, the group lights a small fire to lure bandits away from their post. Gorun silently swims downstream Ivaris, scaling the tower from below and eliminating the sentry. Meanwhile, Ash and Azahel creep through the forest, narrowly avoiding a tripwire.

But their plan begins to unravel. Elias Varkon, a dangerous lieutenant of the Hounds, emerges from his tent and strikes down Azahel in a brutal surprise attack. Chaos erupts. Gorun charges into the fray while Ash fends off attackers. Surrounded and wounded, the party refuses Elias’s offer to surrender. Then Elias unexpectedly disengages and disappears into the trees, leaving his bandits behind. The group defeats the remaining enemies and uses Elira’s potion to revive Azahel.

Key Events:

• Ash and Azahel investigate the attack site, find Hound-marked arrowhead.
• They encounter Gorun and accept him into the group.
• Successful ambush against bandits; one captured, one killed by Gorun.
• They find a surviving caravan guard.
• Report back to Elira at the forest’s edge.
• Elira gives them directions and a healing potion.
• The party infiltrates the bandit camp.
• Gorun stealth-kills the lookout; the others narrowly avoid traps.
• Elias Varkon ambushes them, downs Azahel.
• Elias abruptly leaves mid-battle; the remaining bandits are defeated.

Notable NPCs:

• Elira Voss – Provides information and supplies.
• Elias Varkon – Lieutenant of the Hounds, leads the bandit camp and escapes.
• Caravan Guard – Badly injured, gives directions to the bandit camp.

Loot & Clues:

• Broken arrow with the wolf emblem.
• Bandit captive (delivered to Elira).
• Survivor testimony.
• One potion of healing (used).

Roleplaying Highlights:

• Gorun’s brutal execution of the unconscious bandit.
• Ash’s creative use of Entangle to stop the fleeing bandit.
• Tension between tactics and morality within the group.
• Elias’s sudden and overwhelming attack.

Next Steps:

• Regroup and plan their next move.
• Prepare for potential retaliation.
• Nikfon’s actions during this time remain unknown...