Session 1 Recap - 1 Feb 2025

Principal Characters

• Moby - mallard thief
• Grim aka Wolfshadow Durian Grimjaw - wolfkin fighter
• Sorilea Stormhand - human elementalist
• Ariana Graycape - elf animist
• Arasin the All-knowing - elf scholar
• Munin Sexy Urd Stormhammer - dwarf artisan
• Golden aka Garmander Griffinclaw - human knight

Chapter 1: The Castle of the Robber Knight

For two days, the party had wandered the wilds, drawn ever closer to their destination. At last, they stood before the ruined Castle of the Robber Knight, its crumbling walls perched atop a grassy hill. The warm glow of an inn’s fire seemed like a distant dream as the old woman’s warning echoed in their minds:

"Many have sought the lost treasures of Rothgar Wolfsbane. None have returned."

But this band of adventurers had no intention of turning back.

A Treacherous Approach

As they trudged along the solid path, Moby’s sharp eyes caught a glint of metal. With characteristic curiosity, he approached and retrieved a horned helmet, its twisted spikes giving it a menacing appearance. Meanwhile, Grim’s keen instincts led him to a concealed trail behind the shrubs—perhaps a hidden route for those who wished to move unseen.

Reaching the castle’s gates, they made a fatal mistake: they did not check for traps.

Grim triggered a tripwire, sending a silent signal to unseen watchers. In the shadows of the ruins, goblins prepared an ambush. Moments later, Grim and Golden nearly plummeted into a hidden pit, escaping only by sheer luck.

Near the eastern side of the courtyard, a heavy wooden cellar door drew their attention. Before Munin could smash it down with her axe, the skies erupted into a torrential downpour, reducing visibility. Ariana conjured a soft glow on the stairs, sparing the need for torches.

The Prisoner in the Cellar

Descending into the damp cellar, the group met Gruntha, a captured orc who revealed the goblin leader’s sinister plans. She had been forced to blow a magic horn that would summon the ghost of Rothgar Wolfsbane, now a wight. She pleaded for aid—not only for herself but also for her beloved pet pig, Merle.

A deeper search revealed a chained skeleton, clutching an aged scroll bearing the name Embarius and a painted portrait of a man. The mystery deepened.

When they emerged from the cellar, the goblins were waiting.

The Goblin Ambush

From behind a gnarled dead tree at the heart of the courtyard, ten goblins sprang forth, weapons glinting in the rain.

• Sorilea unleashed a gust of wind, sending goblins tumbling.
• Ariana became the group's lifeline, healing wounds while summoning lightning against their foes.
• Golden took blow after blow, his Guardian skill deflecting attacks—but at an unexpected cost of two silver per blocked strike.
• Grim marked one goblin as his prey, using his hunter’s prowess to land brutal strikes.
• Moby attempted backstabs, while Arasin held a goblin in a tense standoff.
• Munin hacked away with her axe, splintering bone and flesh.

As their numbers dwindled, the last three goblins fled into the darkness. One escaped. Their leader remained unseen.

Secrets of the Castle

With the battle over, the party searched the ruins.

• Moby found Merle, the pig, inside a tower by the stairs.
• Grim and Munin spotted a raven’s nest resting just beyond reach on a broken stone staircase. Climbing carefully, they reached their prize… only to find three rusted nails.
• Moby and Golden attempted swimming in a murky pond. Moby kept floating uselessly, while Golden was dragged down beneath the water—a near disaster that turned to fortune. Below, he discovered two treasures worth 80 silver and another horned helmet, this one with a purple tinge and an engraving: "Embarius."

Inside the helmet, a skull remained lodged. As Golden pried it free, the jawbone snapped off.

And then… A piercing shriek shattered the air.

The Wight Awakens

Rothgar Wolfsbane had returned.

The spectral knight emerged in the courtyard, his ghastly presence sending chills down their spines.

Realizing that the wight sought its helmet, Arasin recalled ancient lore—a spirit bound by its stolen possession. Thinking quickly, Golden offered his old helmet as a replacement. The wight vanished in an instant… but the danger was not over.

The castle began to collapse.

A Desperate Escape

As the ruins crumbled, the adventurers raced for their lives.

• Grim turned back for Merle.
• Gruntha, with surprising strength, scooped up both Grim and Merle, sprinting toward the exit.
• Munin was not so lucky—crushed beneath falling rubble just meters from safety.

With sheer determination, Grim hauled her free, and Ariana’s magic brought her back from the brink of death.

As the dust settled, Gruntha stood before them, gratitude shining in her eyes.

"I owe you my life—and Merle’s," she said, handing them a map of the Misty Vale.

With a long rest ahead, the party set their sights on Outskirt, the frontier settlement on the edge of the unknown.

The adventure was only beginning.