Session 1

**Part 1**

Setting: Headquarters of the Order of Valor

PCs: Durzo, Rhaine, Lo’Kag, Mykiela

NPCs: Commander Warren, Elanys

One by one, the group makes their way down the dusty streets of Wildfront Outpost to the headquarters of the Order of Valor. They are greeted at the door by an energetic Halfling, named Elanys. She graciously thanks them for coming, and has prepared a breakfast feast. At breakfast, they have a chance to introduce themselves before Commander Warren joins them. He fills them in about the way of the land. He talks at length about the sense of community the people are finally starting to feel, and reminds them that the mandate of the Order is to protect; not to govern.

Warren talks about the creatures that were once legend that threaten the area. Mysterious occurrences are happening more frequently since they found a set of ruins about a month ago. He cautions that no one is to go near them until the rulers of the world decide a course of action.

He gives the group their first mission: travel into the Whispering Woods, and obtain Healing supplies for the town from Sister Agatha. They are to deliver the supplies to the Temple. He gives them a map of the Forsaken Expanse, and mentions that Orlin, the town mapmaker, tends to take artistic liberties. He also gives them each a patch with the symbol of the Order of Valor. He tells them they can earn bonuses by performing deeds that inspire the public.

**Part 2**

Setting: Whispering Forest

PCs: Durzo, Rhaine, Lo’Kag, Mykiela

NPCs: Sister Agatha

The group enters the Whispering Forest, and begin to chat about the reasons they are on this journey. Lo’kag grumbles about having no choice. Mykiela tells everyone that she is in search of someone. As they walk, Durzo hears faint whispers and clicking sounds. He notices spiderwebs in the trees and stops the group. Lo’kag casts Speak with Animals on a squirrel. The animal speaks quickly, and mentions the “big ones” as being newcomers to the woods before he runs away.

After about a 3-hour march, they find a modest cottage in a clearing. Mykiela knocks on the door and is told to enter. The interior is dark. A cauldron is bubbling on a fire, and potions of various colors line the shelves on the walls. A small woman wearing a plain gray dress, with long stringy black hair hanging over her eyes rocks in a chair in the corner. After a few tense moments where some party members possibly peed themselves, Lo’Kag mentions that they’re from the Order. Sister Agatha points to 2 crates of supplies, but then asks if they’re willing to get rid of some spiders for extra Healing Potions. The spiders have infested a cave to the east where she harvests mushrooms. The group agrees to help out.

They travel east and easily find the cave entrance. At the mouth of the cave is a Giant Spider out waiting for them. The other 4 Giant Spiders emerge from the tops of the trees, and the group finds themselves surrounded.

The battle ensues, with Rhaine striking from the shadows of the trees, Lo’kag swinging wildly with his axe, Durzo sending Eldritch Blasts at the hideous monsters, and Mykiela using ill-advised fire spells.

The battle ends when Mykiela setting fire to the 2 remaining Giant Spiders, along with a portion of the forest. They investigate the cave, and find 50 Silver, along with 2 rusted shortswords, and skeletons of the two beings that used to wield them. When they return to Sister Agatha to retrieve the crates, she hands them each 2 Healing Potions, and tells them to come back if they need more. They rush south to the safety of the town walls. The group hears voices again. In different languages, they are repeating the same phrase over and over again: “Leave this place.”

**Part 3**

Setting: The Temple in Wildfront Outpost

PCs: Durzo, Rhaine, Lo’Kag, Mykiela

NPCs: Soren

Soren, a balding middle-aged Human in a plain brown robe is in the town square in front of the Temple. He, and a group of volunteers are handing out food. He thanks Mykiela, Durzo, and Rhaine for the supplies. Lo’Kag heads back to Headquarters for another meal. Mykiela and Durzo follow Soren inside the temple, and talk about the needs of the people. Soren tells them that people can’t enter the woods anymore without getting attacked by some monster. The area has always been dangerous, but it has increased tenfold since The Order discovered the ruins about a month ago. He says there used to be more members, but Commander Warren was the only one to return from that expedition. As far as the town believes, he’s the only one that survived.

As they walk out, Durzo casts some minor Healing spells on the people that seem most sick. He also hands Soren the 2 Healing Potions he received from Sister Agatha. Soren, completely undisturbed by Durzo’s apparent heritage, grasps his hand and says, “there’s something different about you all. You’re not like the others.”

Once outside, they witness a Human shouting along the streets to get everyone’s attention. He’s wearing fine clothes, a long feather in his wide-brimmed hat, and a cape to match. “It’s finally that time of year again! The preliminary matches of our great tournament start tomorrow. Joining in the fighting and earn your gold, or come watch and the greatest show you’ll ever see.” The crowd grows energetic as they chat about the upcoming fights, and wonder whether anyone will beat the champion this year.