The chronicle record
Session recap
The air was thick with tension as the party gathered their spoils from the captured Hobgoblin Mercenaries Tied To Molthune convoy: a seized wagon, a mule, provisions, and looted Fahrak gear. Finnetharyn Fimbleshanks emerged from the forest, rejoining the group. They resolved to haul the captured goods back to Cave Camp Main Camp for rest and planning, noting that the supplies had been headed north toward a likely Hobgoblin base. The journey back took a couple of days, during which they left the wagon near The Cave entrance and brought the mule inside.
Upon returning to Camp, Wren was approached by Mira, who eagerly reminded her of the promised archery lesson. Outside, as they practiced, Mira inquired about Wren's past, including her parents and romantic interests, suggesting that having a partner could be beneficial for chores. Wren learned that Mira's advice came from a friend named Liz before the hobgoblins invaded. As the lesson progressed, Wren noticed Mira's hidden skills and realized her desire to bond. After their practice, Mira promised to inform Wren if she spotted anyone handsome before skipping back into The Cave.
Later, around the campfire, Keroyn shared stories of old military days with Bruneg and Gundugar Herdtender, reminiscing about Sergeant Patin’s noisy armor and the leafy cover Bruneg had crafted for him. They discussed their escapes from the disaster at Ramsgate, with Bruneg recalling a frantic run and Gundugar recounting how he had detonated his charges to escape. Keroyn described her own harrowing escape, revealing a darker side to the conflict as she spoke of a Molthuni Army Commander’s demise at the hands of the hobgoblins. Gundugar suggested building a still to boost morale, and Keroyn accepted a role overseeing security while the party was away, expressing her concerns about the unusual happenings in the area.
The following days passed quietly, with no attacks, allowing Camp to recover. Keroyn joined Camp, and various teams worked to gather resources, including Wren’s team, which brought back provisions, and Gundugar’s team, which recovered a stray sheep. However, the tranquility was shattered one morning when the watch reported hobgoblins outside The Cave. Bruneg, understanding their language, learned they brought an offer from Scarvinous in exchange for support of Hobgoblin Mercenaries Tied To Molthune. Arsène scouted the area and spotted a larger Hobgoblin mounted on a giant wolf, but his proximity to the shrieker fungus triggered an alarm.
The mounted Hobgoblin called for the party to reveal themselves, prompting Finn to attempt a bluff, claiming it was unsafe outside and suggesting only one should enter to trade. The ruse worked, and the Hobgoblin dismounted and entered The Cave alone. Upon recognizing the party as the ones named in the bounties, he offered them a place as “beloved slaves” in Hobgoblin Mercenaries Tied To Molthune. Tension escalated quickly, leading to a fierce battle within The Cave. Arsène initiated the fight, and the party engaged in a chaotic melee against the officer and his troopers.
As the battle raged, Wren identified the officer's fighting style and redirected her attacks toward the dire wolf, while Bruneg and Gundugar fought valiantly. The tide turned as Finn used magic to bind the officer, allowing Vendel Coldblade to heal Bruneg back into the fight. The party ultimately triumphed, defeating the officer and his remaining troopers, though not without sustaining injuries.
After resting for a couple of days, Camp received reports from hunting teams about injured refugees who had encountered Gashmaw, a legendary beast. The party decided to investigate the area, suspecting increased Hobgoblin activity. As they traveled through inclement weather, Wren discovered enormous boar tracks leading them to a Small Lake where they spotted Gashmaw, the beast adorned with a ring stuck on its tusk. Finn chose to approach the creature peacefully, singing to calm it while Vendel worked to free the ring without harming the boar.
Once freed, Gashmaw bolted away, and the party examined the Magical Ring, discovering it to be magical. They decided Finn should keep it, as his song had facilitated the recovery. Continuing their journey, they encountered a centaur named York, who offered suspiciously sticky apples and denied any knowledge of hobgoblins. Finn's keen instincts led him to suspect York was a bounty hunter, prompting a swift combat engagement.
The fight was intense, with the party working together to take down York, ultimately discovering a map leading directly to The Cave and a General Azaersi, the commander behind the Ramsgate massacre. The party concluded that Hobgoblin leaders were independently trying to contact the xulgaths, unaware that the party had taken over The Cave. With new information in hand, they prepared to locate Camp.