Session 2: In the Wake of Ash
General Summary
The Ritual Site
The ritual site was a grim one — a twisted clearing choked by mist. There, you faced your first real glimpse of what hides behind the veil. The cultists struck fast, but you struck harder.
You were faced with three cultists and a transformed villager — Mira Dailen, her mind and body twisted by whatever dark force claimed her. The battle was fierce: Calcifer launched into combat with a soaring elemental kick, Alric ended one cultist with a brutal scythe swing, Illion ignited the mist with radiant magic, and Craxian, despite slipping on moss, struck true with his dagger. Two cultists were slain, but the tall, elusive leader escaped after cryptically addressing Craxian in private — his voice unheard by the others. He disappeared in a flash of shadow, leaving only a dagger behind.
In the aftermath, Mira’s body reduced to ash, leaving behind the metal spikes driven through her eyes. You investigated the site, uncovering unsettling artifacts: a mist-eaten pendant of Mystra, a sewn-together journal of religious fragments, a finger bone charm, and a corrupted Mistward Lantern leaking silvery mist. Craxian also recovered a ceremonial dagger marked with the same black, tar-like cloth they previously found in their investigation in Oldbarrow. You left the ritual site with the three surviving villagers — Elric Tannor, Harlan Bost, and Lina Ward — in tow. Exhausted but alive. Alric carried Jonas Feld's body back in mourning.
Return to Draymoor
On your journey home, Lina heard her sister Haleigh’s voice calling from the woods and tried to run into the mist to follow it. Alric caught her with one arm, Jonas' body still slung over his shoulder — but she broke free. Calcifer raced after her to bind her. Illion’s words failed to calm her, and Craxian’s telepathy only deepened her fear. Ultimately, it was Alric’s quiet grief, and his vow to search for both his lost wife and Haleigh in the mist, that brought her back from the edge.
You returned to Draymoor before dawn, and were met by Durn, the Lord Warden, and a number of guards. Durn was clearly relieved to see you, and even more so when he saw the villagers you had safely rescued. However, the reunion took a mouornful turn when he saw the body of Jonas, and heard the fate of Mira. You started telling Durn what had happened on your journey, before he interrupted you, and suggested you have this conversation somewhere more private. With that, he led you back to the Town Hall where you had met previously, past the obelisk.
Now - I apologise in advance but the rest of the council are wanting to meet with you. They don’t want me forgetting any important details, and would rather we have the discussion together. It can get a bit… dicey sometimes, what with the differing opinions that there always are. The coinmaster will have your payment though, so just grit your teeth and bear their blathering.
Council Meeting
You were formally introduced to the six members of the Draymoor Council — each with differing priorities and demeanors. Maribel Thornwell, the Coinmaster, was cold and skeptical, but Eldrin Veyne, the High Priest of Mystra, stood firmly in your defense, offering thanks and deep respect for your service.
The council listened carefully to your report — especially disturbed by the corrupted lantern and signs of religious defilement. The Seer, Nyssa Vale, remained cryptic, answering only once to Illion on his severe distrust of Mystra. Eldrin came to the conclusion that this must be the Veilborn, a cult that he's heard stories about.
If this truly is the Veilborn, and they're in Draymoor, it could spell disaster. Not just for us, but for the rest of the world — and the Weave.
The High Priest promised to examine the findings, while you agreed to rest and meet with him again at the temple in the afternoon to speak further, and begin investigating what's truly going on. You agreed to be discreet, as alerting the general population to the truth could spell disaster.
You collected your reward and returned to The Guttering Flame, where you ate your fill and shared a drink before retiring.
For now, your pockets are heavier with gold, but your minds weigh far more.
The mist is changing.
And something - or someone - is helping it along.
Rewards Granted
200 gp
