The chronicle record
Session recap
The moon hung high as the party settled in for the night, choosing to rest rather than pursue the Hobgoblin Scout tracks Wren had discovered leading northeast. The night passed without incident, and by morning, the adventurers felt rejuvenated and ready to continue their quest.
With caution, the group followed the tracks through the forest, avoiding the main trail to remain undetected. They reached a hidden vantage point overlooking Main Camp, a Hobgoblin encampment nestled at the base of a Cliff. A single Hobgoblin manned a Watch Post, while the sounds of more than a dozen hobgoblins and the howls of wolves echoed below. Wren observed the scout's alertness and skill, noting his crossbow. The party debated their approach, weighing the Stair-Top Choke Point as a choke point against Camp's eastern exit. Arsène attempted to sneak closer but startled a squirrel, drawing the scout's attention. In a swift move, Arsène rushed the Watch-Post, climbing to confront the scout. Vendel Coldblade's initial strike missed, and Gundugar Herdtender consumed a mutagen before joining the fight. The scout retaliated by detonating a Blasting Stone, sounding an alarm throughout Camp, and shot Arsène in the face.
Wren, still hidden, took aim and fired at the scout, while Bruneg advanced with his shield raised. Finnetharyn Fimbleshanks began to sing, empowering his allies and unleashing a blast of frost at the scout. With the alarm raised, Camp stirred, and the party braced for the oncoming attack. Arsène retreated to the Top Of The Stairs as Vendel cast protective magic on Bruneg. A Lead Bugbear charged up the Top Of The Stairs, prompting Wren to move to the Cliff Edge's edge, where she recognized the creature's deadly nature and shot it with an arrow. As Hobgoblin bowmen positioned themselves below, Gundugar threw a Dread Ampoule at the Bugbear, while Wren continued to provide cover fire. Bruneg and Finn coordinated their attacks, with Bruneg delivering a heavy blow to the front Bugbear while Finn summoned Animated Weapons to harass their foes.
Fresh hobgoblins emerged from Camp, armed and ready to engage. Vendel and Arsène worked together to cut down attackers, while Wren and Nova continued to harass the enemy from cover. A large Bugbear sergeant named Scarvinous emerged, boasting of his prowess in combat. Gundugar responded with a blast of lightning, while Wren identified Scarvinous as a formidable opponent trained in dual-wielding. Scarvinous pressed the attack, and the party struggled to maintain their defensive position. Finn's magical laughter slowed Scarvinous, allowing the party to regroup. However, Scarvinous struck Finn down, prompting Vendel to heal him back to consciousness. A Hobgoblin joined the fray, throwing bombs and taunting the party.
Wren and Nova focused their efforts on the alchemist, while Bruneg and Gundugar pressed the attack against Scarvinous. The sergeant's defenses held strong, but the party's relentless assault began to wear him down. Finn unleashed a powerful spell from his Force Barrage Scroll, striking down Scarvinous and turning the tide of battle. With the sergeant defeated, the remaining foes faltered. The Hobgoblin, realizing her precarious position, surrendered and offered to divulge information in exchange for her life. The battle concluded with only the alchemist and a rat-like traitor remaining alive, allowing the party to recover amidst the aftermath at Camp.