Whispering Woods Chapter 1 Part 1

The party receives a summons from Edrick Thornvale. He explains that a caravan transporting an important relic has vanished along the forest route to the north. Edrick Thornvale emphasizes the urgency of the matter and insists the party retrieve the relic as soon as possible. Edrick Thornvale believes bandits may be involved but warns that the Whispering Woods are known for strange happenings.

• The party follows the trade route into the forest.
• After some time, they discover faint wagon tracks veering off the main path.
• A cold wind carries the distant sound of wolves howling in the distance.
• The group finds the broken caravan, its contents scattered and guards slain.
• A blood trail leads deeper into the forest.

• At the end of the trail, they find a wounded merchant barely clinging to life.
• The merchant speaks in broken sentences and, with his dying breath, whispers the words "The Whispering Willow."
• Moments later, jagged runes carved into a nearby tree begin to glow with a dark, clouded red light.
• The oozing black substance thickens and pools at the base of the tree, corroding everything it touches.

• Three twisted, wolf-like beasts (NAME) emerge from the dark, their forms distorted by corrupted energy.
• After a brutal fight, the party manages to defeat the creatures, but the dark pool continues to expand.

• A hooded figure steps from the shadows, calmly chanting an unfamiliar spell.
• The oozing substance recedes, and the glowing runes fade, transforming into a small wooden figure sitting on top of the tree trunk.
• The Thorned Druid hands the figure to the party, saying, "I believe this is what you came for."
• Without another word, he vanishes back into the forest.

• Back in Rivenbrook Edrick Thornvale listens to the party's report.
• If the group mentions the Thorned Druid Edrick Thornvale warns them that the Druid is not to be trusted, insisting that he is dangerous and has been tied to troubling events in the past.
• Edrick Thornvale avoids direct questions, but ensures the party knows he sees the druid as a threat.
• The party is left with the wooden figure, the mystery of the Whispering Willow, and conflicting stories about the Thorned Druid.
• The session ends with the feeling that deeper forces are stirring in the Whispering Woods, and the relic may hold a far greater power than they first believed.