Story

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Having heard the call to adventure, various adventurers from all over the land travelled for weeks, if not months, to the small Anarian town of Longwood just outside the Five Lakes Valley, eager to join up with various trade wagons headed into the valley. The adventurers accumulated over the span of a week, amongst them were the dwarf barbarian Thoradin, the halfling cleric Dawn, the human rogue Elizabeth Amberbrace, the forsaken artificer Hiriko Hirayama and goliath mystic theurge Van'ra.

Having spent a week waiting, the strangers were each able to approach Billick, a wiry man with birdlike gaze and the merchant running the first caravan into the Five Lakes Valley, the destination of the caravan being the prosperous town of Two Bridges near the centre of the valley.

Billick explains to each of the adventurers the details of contract, the pay and the expectations of those under his employ, as well as the intended route of the journey. By the end of the week, the strangers had all signed on to his caravan as guards, ready to leave first thing the morning come.

**Chapter 1 - The Mountain Pass**

The caravan spends the first week of the trip travelling through the mountains, passing by frequently bluffs, streams, bushes, and dramatically steep terrain, making for a tense journey through the high mountains, though this narrow trail through the worst of it, the group however doubted ever seeing more rugged and hard terrain than what they encountered. thankfully, from there the terrain seemed to be easier to cross, allowing the party to move deeper and faster towards the Five Lakes Valley where its promises for magic, adventure, and riches would await.

The following afternoon however, while travelling through a forest, the party notices shadows amongst the trees and bushes, quickly piecing together a trap on the horizon. opting to spring the trap on their terms, Thoradin and Elizabeth pursue the awaiting threat into their cover, while the other members of the caravan prepared their spells and weapons. realising their trap hadn't gone to plan, the attackers revealed themselves as an organised band of goblins baring a splatted white hand on their gear and tried to salvage the heist. Despite their large numbers and reasonable gear, the goblins severely underestimated their would be victims as the caravan decimated the goblin numbers to the point where they were able to flee safely along the track

Chapter 2

Having managed to get far enough away from the goblins attackers, the group carry on safely to a spot to set up evening camp. Bililick thanks the party for their exceptional work with handshakes, drinks and a small bonus chunk of coin, as well as some advise for once they make it to Two Bridges, hoping the party sets up their own creditable business or organisation while there. During the evening watch, a small blue cat appears seemingly out of nowhere and despite some concerns from the caravan members, the party find the cat strangely warming up to them, although spooking the adventurers when it telepathically revealed itself as Jo'srin to them, a wandering wizard hoping to explore and discover magic who wanted to tag along with the party in hopes of discovering said magic while opting to play off as an ordinary cat. Not seeing any harm, the party agreed to let Jo'srin come with them.

The next week passes uneventful until the caravan arrives at the switchback trail south west towards Five Lakes Landing, with the small distant town in sight. progressing along the trail, the party quickly discover the cliffside facing the town, while infinitely beautiful in appearance, was home to swarms of Jump Jackers, Birds like magpie with ravenous appetites and the chaotic ability to teleport in swarms who quickly descended on the party after failing to sneak by.

The quick wits of each party member allowed the caravan to retaliate with improv throwing weapons, arrows and spells, including Hiriko's makeshift catapult ball bearing blast, blowing up dozens of Jump Jackers at a time. having cleared out most of the Jump Jackers, the caravan made a beeline to the bottom of the mountainside, escaping through a tunnel so dark even the darkvision didn't help. thankfully the tunnel was brief and the party exited onto the horizon as the mid-morning sun officially marked their arrival into the Five Lakes Valley.

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

chapter 12