Session 1: The Road to Emberwood#

Summary#

The party assembled in Tonsburg and traveled three weeks by wagon to Emberwood Village, the last safe settlement before Drakkenheim. Along the way they fought off bandits and a mutated traveler. In Emberwood, they explored the village, learned about the dangers ahead, and agreed to rescue Lieutenant Petra Lang from ratlings at the Rat’s Nest Tavern.

What Happened#

Scene 1: Departure from Tonsburg#

At dawn in Tonsburg, four strangers gathered at the south gate. Theobroma, a fairy in purple robes, checked her pocket watch. Margareta, a six-foot-eight frost giant carrying an enormous maul and a pet rock named Uncle Olaf, arrived next. They were joined by Cory, a kenku with a crossbow, who had hired on as wagon escort.

Eren Marlowe, a provisioner, pulled up in a wagon loaded with dried goods bound for Drakkenheim. He offered passage for 10 gold each — and a 5 gold bonus if they arrived ahead of schedule.

A fourth traveler joined them on the road: Heda Zlathrak, a gold dragonborn in chainmail who spoke of “sacred flames burning” within people. Lacking gold, he pledged his sword to Eren’s service.

Scene 2: The Journey#

Over nineteen and a half days, the party traveled south through increasingly desolate lands. The first week passed farmlands; by the second, they saw only abandoned villages, dead forests, and thorny scrubland. Crows cawed overhead.

Eren shared what he knew of Drakkenheim: the meteor that destroyed it, the purple haze, the monsters, and his nephew Donovan who went seeking fortune and hasn’t been heard from since.

Theobroma read her books. Margareta showed Uncle Olaf to everyone. Cory revealed she performs trick shot shows as “Corvin Steel Feather.” Heda spoke of the Sacred Flame and studied his companions’ souls.

Scene 3: The Bandit Ambush#

Ten days out, a rider blocked the road — a bandit claiming to collect tolls for “the Queen” (the Queen’s Men). When he demanded 100 gold (up from the usual 10), Cory questioned his authority. Margareta attempted diplomacy.

The bandit wasn’t interested.

Heda noticed four more bandits hiding in the scrub. When the party made clear they wouldn’t pay, combat erupted. Margareta landed a devastating critical hit, caving in the bandit leader’s chest with her lightning-crackling maul. The survivors fled. Heda stood over the fallen leader: “Your flame has ended.”

The party looted 50 copper and some weapons. The wagon wheel was damaged in the fight, costing them a day of repairs.

Scene 4: The Mutated Traveler#

Near the end of the journey, a trio of harrowed adventurers approached from Drakkenheim. Ludwig von Graf, a noble, explained they’d been ambushed by creatures using delerium-tipped arrows. His companion’s tongue had fallen out from contamination; they were fleeing to find proper healing.

The party shared their campfire. That night, the contaminated traveler’s mutations completed — fleshy tentacles burst from his back and attacked his own companions.

The party woke to screams. Theobroma cast Sleep, accidentally putting Ludwig and his remaining companion out. Heda charged in and cut down the creature. “May the flame end you.”

The survivors, shaken but grateful, departed at dawn.

Scene 5: Arrival at Emberwood Village#

The party arrived at Emberwood Village, a haphazard settlement of shacks that had grown up as a staging ground for Drakkenheim expeditions. Eren pointed them toward the Hooded Lanterns at the watchtower for those interested in “restoring the throne.”

Emma Crowe, a ten-year-old girl saving up for a sword, offered tours for 1 gold each. She showed them:

  • Gilded Lily — Entertainment venue with open mic nights
  • Bark and Buzzard — Affordable inn (2gp/night)
  • Skull and Sword — Rowdy tavern (“say hello to the skull or you’ll have bad luck”)
  • Red Lion Hotel — Fancy accommodations (25gp/night), where mages stay
  • Chapel of St. Ardenna — Flamekeeper Bella’s temple
  • Crowe and Sons Smithy — Her father Tobias’s shop
  • Watchtower — Hooded Lanterns headquarters
  • Haunted House — Doors that open and close on their own

Margareta tipped Emma an extra gold.

Scene 6: Making Contacts#

At the Chapel, Heda prayed and spoke with Flamekeeper Bella about the Sacred Flame’s factions: the Falling Flame (who embrace the meteor) and the Silver Order (who want to destroy it).

At the Red Lion, Theobroma met Master River, a blue tiefling from the Amethyst Academy. River apologized for her initial rudeness — the mages she’d summoned hadn’t returned from the city. She asked Theobroma to meet at Eckerman Mill at sunrise.

At the Watchtower, Margareta and Heda met Captain Ansem of the Hooded Lanterns. His sister, Lieutenant Petra Lang, had been captured by ratlings at the Rat’s Nest Tavern. He asked the party to rescue her. Heda used Lay on Hands to cure Ansem’s delerium contamination.

At Gainsbury’s, the party bought a guide to handling delerium, plus gloves, vials, and mining picks.

At the Bark and Buzzard, they booked cottages for 2 gold each.

The session ended with the party preparing to leave at dawn for Eckerman Mill and the Rat’s Nest Tavern.

Key Discoveries#

Loot & Rewards#

  • 5gp bonus from Eren for early arrival (each)
  • 50 copper from bandit (split 4 ways = 12 copper each)
  • 40gp from selling captured weapons to Tobias Crowe
  • Purchased: Delerium handling guide, insulated gloves, glass vials, miner’s pick, pitons

Memorable Moments#

“Your flame has ended.” — Heda Zlathrak, standing over the fallen bandit

“I hope you learned something!” — Margareta, yelling at fleeing bandits

“You are a problem. Get out of my way.” — Margareta, quoting her Uncle Olaf’s wisdom (which she interprets positively)

“I do tricks with my crossbow. Impossible trick shots, that kind of thing.” — Cory, explaining her stage act

“Oops.” — Theobroma, after accidentally putting the survivors to sleep instead of just the monster

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