The chronicle record
Session recap
The ruined tower loomed in the Fangwood, a grim reminder of battles past. The air was thick with tension as the party, having tracked Ironfang Legion and Goblin Dogs, discovered a dead hobgoblin clad in scale mail, clutching a sword and crossbow bolts. Their exploration led them to a woman hiding poorly within ruined tower, armed with a crossbow and a grass mower. Gundugar Herdtender and Bruneg recognized her as a Militia Veteran from the Ramsgate massacre. She accused Vendel Coldblade of being a goblin, and despite Gundugar's reassurance that the nearby Ironfang Legion were dead, her skepticism lingered.
To prove their intentions, Wren and Bruneg dragged the dead hobgoblin into view, manipulating its corpse to show it posed no threat. The woman, still convinced she was trapped in a dream, hesitated but eventually lowered her weapon upon witnessing the aftermath of the battle. Overwhelmed by guilt for her previous assurances of safety, she collapsed in tears. Wren examined her, finding her dirty but unharmed, while Arsène comforted her. She revealed that she had seen Ironfang Legion with a wagon moving what she believed were prisoners to the north. After gathering her belongings, the party helped her leave ruined tower, concealing the hobgoblin bodies to prevent discovery.
In the following days, the party escorted the woman back to their Main Camp, where she integrated into the group, offering her skills as a tracker. The camp thrived, with refugees remaining healthy and rumors of a nearby village promising provisions and shelter. Vendel experienced a vivid dream of an ancient warrior, leading him to believe that Iomedae wanted them to investigate the village. Before departing, Wren's young friend Mira expressed her eagerness to learn archery, prompting Wren to promise her a lesson after completing their current tasks. Upon reaching the Northwestern Hamlet, the party was welcomed by Trappers who informed them of an abandoned town nearby, now rumored to be occupied by Ironfang Legion. Fearing something dark had been awakened there, Vendel declared the need for cleansing.
The next morning, the party ventured to the Ruined Town, discovering bloodstains and a statue matching Vendel's Holy Symbol. When Vendel placed the symbol into the statue, a decayed figure emerged, thanking them and revealing that a “jail-bearer” was now free. The party faced a horde of undead Ironfang Legion led by a Zombie Lord. The battle was fierce, with Gundugar and Vendel employing their skills to combat the undead. Wren identified the Zombie Lord's intelligence and urged the party to focus their efforts on it. After a hard-fought battle, they managed to defeat the Zombie Lord, recovering valuable items from the site. Vendel felt compelled to pray at the statue, which opened a hidden chamber containing an empty sarcophagus. His sword glowed with holy power as he descended, convinced that Iomedae had rewarded him for their efforts. The party debated their next move, ultimately deciding to search for the wagon tracks of the prisoners reported by the Militia Veteran.
As they explored, they overheard Ironfang Legion discussing their plans near a supply wagon. The party set an ambush, but before they could act, an arrow struck one of the Ironfang Legion, revealing an unseen ally. Wren recognized the voice as her brother, who joined the fray. After the skirmish, he confronted the party, expressing anger over Wren's injuries. After a heartfelt exchange, he introduced himself as Arden and apologized for his outburst. Arden rummaged through the wagon's supplies, discovering food and equipment for establishing a camp, along with Bounty Papers that revealed the Ironfang Legion were specifically hunting the party. He warned them about Scarvinous, the hobgoblin leader, and declined to return to the Main Camp, preferring to remain independent. Before parting, he urged Wren to be cautious and handed her a piece of oak bark with a drawing from Mira. After his departure, the party reflected on the implications of the bounty and the Ironfang Legion' intentions, considering their next steps with the recovered supplies and the mule.