Under the waning light of the late afternoon, the adventurers gathered on the riverbank beside the Wind Whisperer. The vessel rocked gently against the makeshift dock, its sails fluttering softly in the breeze. The air was thick with the scent of the river and the lingering tension from the recent ambush. Bartholemeow, in his feline form, curled up atop a coil of rope, licking a deep wound on his flank. Pebblesong knelt beside Waer’dara, the young dwarf’s hands glowing faintly as she channeled healing energy into the drow’s injuries. Hat tinkered with a small gadget, his colorful hat askew, while Bhakris Edge stood watch, his gaze hardened by the skirmish.
Thalmiir Brukur, his stature imposing even among dwarves, stood guard over their captive—a young woman bound securely with ropes. As the prisoner began to stir, Thalmiir’s shadow fell over her, and she opened her eyes to find the cold steel of his axe hovering just below her chin. Her eyes widened, reflecting fear and a hint of defiance.
“Please,” she whispered hoarsely, “don’t hurt me.”
Thalmiir’s gaze remained unyielding. “You attacked us without provocation,” he rumbled. “Give me one reason why I should show you mercy.”
She swallowed hard. “Because you’re better than me,” she replied. “What I did was wrong, but my hands are tied now. I pose no threat.”
He studied her for a moment before lowering his axe slightly. “Why ambush us for goods you’ve already paid for?”
“Paid for?” Her brow furrowed in genuine confusion. “We didn’t pay for anything. Boats going upriver always carry goods. We usually let them pass, but no one told us not to attack this one.”
Pebblesong stepped forward, her eyes soft with empathy. “But you made a down payment. Fifty gold for the oats.”
The prisoner shook her head. “I don’t know anything about that. Things haven’t been the same since Captain Strongsteel disappeared.”
Waer’dara’s crimson eyes narrowed. “Captain Strongsteel? What happened to him?”
The woman sighed. “He vanished without a trace. Now Thurman leads us, but he doesn’t know what he’s doing. We’re struggling to survive.”
Bhakris Edge crossed his arms. “Take us to your camp. Perhaps we can resolve this.”
She hesitated but then nodded. “Alright. I’ll show you the way. But please, no more bloodshed.”
With the prisoner leading, the group set off into the dense forest. The path was rugged, roots and rocks jutting out like nature’s own obstacles. Bartholemeow perched atop the handcart loaded with oats, strumming a gentle tune on his lute that spoke of rivers and journeys. Thalmiir took the handles of the cart, his muscles straining as he navigated the uneven terrain. Pebblesong walked alongside, occasionally glancing up at the canopy with a puzzled expression.
As they ventured deeper, an immense oak tree emerged ahead—a colossal titan among the surrounding woods. Its branches stretched skyward, leaves whispering secrets in the wind. The tree’s trunk was so vast that even the entire group holding hands couldn’t encircle it. Pebblesong felt a strange aura emanating from it, something both ancient and amiss.
“Remarkable, isn’t it?” Hat mused, tilting his hat back to get a better view.
“Indeed,” Waer’dara agreed, her gaze tracing the intricate patterns of spiderwebs glistening between the branches.
Bartholemeow flicked his tail thoughtfully. “Yet something feels… off.”
Pebblesong nodded. “The squirrels. They’re behaving oddly.”
High above, squirrels scurried but not with the typical erratic energy. Instead, their movements were sluggish, almost disoriented. Pebblesong’s connection to nature sensed a disturbance, but she couldn’t place it.
They arrived at the bandit camp nestled beneath the oak’s expansive canopy. Makeshift tents and smoldering fires dotted the clearing. Wounded bandits lay on rough bedding, their comrades tending to them with limited supplies. The atmosphere was heavy with despair and frustration.
Bhakris approached a group near a fire. “We wish to speak with Captain Thurman.”
One bandit stood up defensively. “You here to finish the job?”
“We’re here to complete the transaction your captain initiated,” Bhakris replied calmly. “No more, no less.”
After a tense moment, the bandit gestured toward a worn tent near the base of the oak. “He’s in there. But good luck getting any sense out of him.”
As they made their way to the tent, muffled voices reached their ears.
“I’ve already paid the down payment! We need that food!” one voice exclaimed.
“Doesn’t matter,” another retorted. “We’re bandits. We take what we want.”
Bhakris exchanged a glance with Thalmiir before clearing his throat at the entrance. The tent flap was thrown open by a burly man with a scarred face. He eyed them suspiciously. “Who are you?”
“Customers,” Thalmiir stated bluntly. “Here to see Thurman.”
The man huffed but stepped aside. Inside, Captain Thurman sat slumped over a rough wooden table, maps and ledgers strewn about. He looked up, surprise flickering across his features.
“You,” he stammered. “I didn’t expect… After the ambush…”
“Despite your men’s actions, we’re willing to complete the deal,” Bhakris said. “But the price has increased to seven hundred gold.”
Thurman rubbed his temples. “Seven hundred… Yes, yes, that’s acceptable. But there’s a slight complication.”
Thalmiir’s eyes narrowed. “What kind of complication?”
“The gold is in our treasure cave,” Thurman admitted. “But a bear has taken up residence inside. If you retrieve the gold, the oats are yours, and I’ll even add an extra fifty for your trouble.”
Hat raised an eyebrow. “You want us to do your dirty work?”
Thurman spread his hands. “Think of it as a mutually beneficial arrangement.”
After a moment’s deliberation, Thalmiir extended his hand. “Fine. We’ll take care of your bear problem.”
As they left the tent, Pebblesong lingered. “Something doesn’t add up,” she whispered to the others. “These people aren’t telling us everything.”
Bhakris nodded. “I’ll see what more I can learn.”
While the others prepared to head to the cave, Bhakris returned to the wounded bandits. He knelt beside one who was pale and sweating, a blood-soaked bandage wrapped around his torso. Without a word, Bhakris placed a hand over the wound, a soft glow emanating from his palm. The bandit’s eyes fluttered open as the injury healed.
“Why would you help us?” the bandit asked, astonished.
“Because I seek the truth,” Bhakris replied. “What happened to Captain Strongsteel?”
The bandit glanced around nervously. “He vanished a few weeks back. No one knows where he went. Things have fallen apart since. Thurman tries, but he’s no leader.”
“Thank you,” Bhakris said, standing up. “Take care of yourselves.”
Meanwhile, Pebblesong approached the colossal oak, her curiosity piqued by the strange behavior of the squirrels. She closed her eyes and whispered an incantation, reaching out to the woodland creatures. Moments later, a squirrel descended hesitantly down the trunk.
“Can you understand me?” Pebblesong asked gently.
The squirrel tilted its head. “Yes… How is this possible?”
“Magic,” she smiled. “You seem… different.”
The squirrel’s whiskers twitched. “We think we were once people.”
Pebblesong’s heart skipped a beat. “People? Do you remember anything?”
“Not much,” the squirrel admitted. “But we feel out of place, like we don’t belong in these bodies.”
“Do you know about the bear in the cave?”
“Yes,” the squirrel chittered. “He might be like us. But he’s angry, protective.”
“Thank you,” Pebblesong said softly. “We’ll try to help.”
Rejoining the group, she relayed what she had learned. “I believe the bandits have been transformed into animals. The bear included.”
Hat adjusted his hat thoughtfully. “Perhaps someone or something is causing this.”
Waer’dara’s eyes gleamed. “Magic of this magnitude… We must be cautious.”
They reached the entrance to the cave—a dark maw in the hillside, framed by tangled roots. The remnants of a shattered wooden door lay scattered, its hinges torn asunder.
“Whatever broke this door was strong,” Thalmiir observed, gripping his axe tighter.
Bartholemeow lit a torch, the flickering flame casting dancing shadows on the cavern walls. “Shall we?”
As they ventured inside, the air grew cool and damp. Roots hung from the ceiling like twisted chandeliers, and faint glimmers of light filtered through cracks above. The path sloped gently downward, leading them deeper into the earth.
At a bend in the tunnel, a curtain of thick vines obscured their view. Pebblesong held up a hand. “Let me try talking to it first.”
Thalmiir nodded, stepping back. “Be careful.”
Pebblesong approached the curtain, her voice soft as she called out in the language of bears. “Hello? I mean no harm.”
A deep, rumbling voice responded. “Who goes there?”
“I’m Pebblesong. Are you… perhaps not truly a bear?”
There was a pause. “I am… I think I’m a bear.”
She took a deep breath. “We spoke to the squirrels outside. They believe they were once people. Maybe you were too.”
“I guard this place,” the bear growled. “My gold. My cave.”
“We don’t wish to take anything from you,” she lied gently. “We just want to understand what’s happening.”
Suddenly, a small voice hissed from above. “Leave our bear alone!” A pebble hurtled toward Pebblesong, but she deftly sidestepped it.
Glancing up, she saw a pair of glowing eyes retreat into the shadows. Determined, she whispered an incantation, her hands weaving patterns in the air. A soothing aura enveloped the cave as she cast a spell of friendship upon the bear.
The growling subsided, replaced by a confused snuffle. “You… you’re not here to hurt me?”
“No,” she assured. “We’re here to help.”
Behind her, the rest of the party readied themselves, sensing that the situation was precarious. Waer’dara’s fingers danced near the hilt of her dagger, while Bartholemeow’s tail flicked nervously.
Pebblesong stepped forward, pushing aside the curtain of vines. The bear stood before her—a massive creature with eyes that held a glint of human awareness.
“Tell me,” she said softly. “What do you remember?”
The bear blinked slowly. “Flashes. Faces. A name… Strongsteel.”
Her eyes widened. “You’re Captain Strongsteel?”
The bear lowered its head. “I don’t know.”
Just then, the shadows around them stirred. More small creatures emerged—stoats, chipmunks, a skunk—all watching intently. Their eyes mirrored the same confusion and desperation.
Thalmiir stepped forward cautiously. “It seems we’ve found the missing bandits.”
Bhakris joined them, his expression grim. “This is dark magic at play.”
Hat adjusted his goggles. “We need to find the source and reverse it.”
Before they could formulate a plan, the ground beneath them trembled, and a low, ominous hum filled the air. The roots along the walls began to writhe, and an eerie light emanated from deeper within the cave.
Waer’dara drew her dagger, her voice steady. “Whatever is causing this is awakening.”
Pebblesong looked back at the bear. “Stay with us. We’ll fix this.”
The bear nodded, a flicker of hope in its eyes.
As the adventurers braced themselves for what lay ahead, the cavern pulsed with unnatural energy. The fate of the transformed bandits hung in the balance, and the true challenge was only beginning.
The session begins with the Wind Whisperer arriving at an informal docking location to conduct a transaction, specifically selling oatmeal to a local community. An unexpected ambush occurs as the local community attacks the boat, disrupting the intended transaction. The Order of the Iron Vanguard intervenes during the attack, showcasing their combat capabilities. Many attackers are dispatched, while some remain on the boat, leading to further conflict. The DM humorously acknowledges his own faction’s name as the Iron Vanguard, correcting himself from previous misnomers. After the combat, the captain of the boat reveals that the attackers had prepaid for part of the shipment, indicating a potential for negotiation regarding the owed 450 gold. The adventurers are informed they can negotiate for additional compensation, retaining half of any amount they manage to secure beyond the initial agreement. The oatmeal is loaded into burlap sacks and prepared for transport, with the party contemplating next steps. Joe’s character, Bartholemeow, expresses a desire to take a short nap and snack due to sustaining injuries during the ambush. The group acknowledges the need to rest and recover, with Luke suggesting they keep watch in case of further attacks. The captain expresses nervousness about the delay but is convinced that a short rest is necessary for the party’s recovery. The adventurers suspect the captured bandit, who is tied up and currently unconscious, may wake up soon, prompting Luke to suggest questioning him for information. Thalmiir, played by Luke, volunteers to interrogate the captured bandit upon her awakening. As the bandit begins to wake, Thalmiir positions his axe blade under her chin to intimidate her, asserting the seriousness of the situation. The bandit expresses fear, pleading for mercy, which Thalmiir uses to leverage the situation, questioning why they attempted to rob the boat despite having made a down payment on the goods. The bandit appears confused and surprised by the notion of a down payment, indicating a lack of understanding about the situation. Brian rolls an Insight check, revealing that the bandit does not seem to be deceptive and is genuinely baffled by the circumstances. When asked why they attacked the boat, the bandit explains that boats traveling upriver typically carry goods, and they were not informed that they were not supposed to rob this particular boat. Waer’dara, portrayed by Merideth, interjects with questions about the bandit’s actions, further probing into their motivations and disorganization. The bandit attributes their failure to Captain Strongsteel’s absence, suggesting that without his leadership, the bandits have become disorganized and desperate. Merideth makes a humorous comment about the need for better leadership among the bandits, highlighting their lack of organization and planning. Thalmiir and the bandit continue to discuss the necessity of finding Strongsteel, with the bandit admitting that his absence has led to their current predicament. The bandit reluctantly agrees to lead the adventurers to their camp, under the condition that Thalmiir lowers his axe. The conversation shifts to the legitimacy of the contract between the boat and the bandits, with the adventurers debating the terms and whether a written agreement exists. Hat is suggested to speak with the captain about the details of the contract, confirming that the agreement was with Captain Thurman, the new leader following Strongsteel’s disappearance. The bandit confirms that the current leadership under Thurman is uncertain, raising concerns about the reliability of their resources and the contract. The adventurers express a desire to formalize the agreement, contemplating the creation of a binding contract despite the lack of a written document. The party discusses the possibility of sending the bandit ahead as a guide to their camp while ensuring she does not alert her allies. Waer’dara is mentioned as the team’s knot expert, indicating her proficiency in tying up the captured bandit securely. The session continues with the adventurers planning their next steps, including the possibility of negotiating terms with the bandits and exploring the camp. Bartholemeow entertains the group during the short rest, playing a song on his lute about their river journey and providing additional healing through his Song of Rest ability. The session hints at ongoing discussions about resource management, negotiation tactics, and the need for leadership among both the adventurers and the bandits. Session Begins with Technical Setup Character Interactions and Humor Character Actions and Logistics Thalmiir’s and Bhakris’s Discussion Thalmiir and Bhakris’s Observations Conversations About Bandit Strategy Musical Contribution from Bartholemeow Introduction to the Bandit’s Camp Tension Among the Bandits Bandit Group Dynamics Decision to Release the Bandit Negotiation with Captain Thurman Entrance to the Tent Final Decision Point Bhakris’ Introduction: Bhakris Edge, played by Mark, enters a tent where Captain Thurman is present. He introduces himself and states that he is there to complete a negotiated transaction. Captain Thurman’s Appearance: Captain Thurman is described as wearing a finer-cut coat compared to others in the camp and has a somewhat elaborate tricorn pirate hat with a broken plume. He is hunched over in a chair and initially does not make eye contact. Thurman’s Request: Without looking up, Thurman asks for wine and instructs to leave the food in the corner, indicating impatience or distraction. Negotiation Begins: Party Dynamics: Cave Details: Thalmiir’s Confidence: Thalmiir agrees to the deal with Thurman, firmly stating the terms and shaking hands to finalize the agreement. Description of the Cave Entrance: Nature Check: Bhakris’ Intentions: Bandit Interaction: Cure Wounds: Information Gathering: Cave Entrance Descriptions: Investigation Check: Ritual Casting: Pebblesong’s Communication with Squirrels Squirrel Interaction Squirrel’s Background Cave’s Inhabitants Squirrel’s Intentions Thalmiir and Waer’dara’s Observations Squirrel’s Hostility Plans for the Bear Captain Thurman’s Impatience Thurman’s Leadership Struggles Thalmiir’s Insight Check Negotiation for Information Discussion of Past Leadership Protection Racket Concept Conclusion of the Interaction Ben begins the conversation by discussing a character who went to get supplies but never returned, indicating a sense of loss and abandonment. He speculates that the character might have brought back a trinket instead of useful supplies. He then asks Hat if he could assist in getting his protection racket back on track, signaling a desire to regain control and stability in their situation. Joe humorously remarks that it would be embarrassing if the character in question continued to linger around. Ben shifts the focus, emphasizing the urgency of dealing with a bear in the area, stating that no one will receive their payment if the bear remains. Brian suggests that a character named Puppy (possibly his own) will help with the situation regarding the bear. Luke prompts Pebblesong, asking if she is ready to communicate with the bear, leading to playful banter about the embarrassing situation. Mark humorously repeats “embarrassing,” contributing to the lighthearted atmosphere. Luke calls for Bhakris to join them, indicating a collective resolve to confront the bear in the cave. Joe expresses curiosity about the situation, prompting a reaction from the other players. Mark considers the possible outcomes, joking that Bhakris might only discover the cave situation if everyone gets eaten by bears. Ben announces that he will guide the players into the cave one at a time, expressing uncertainty about how to proceed with the encounter setup. Luke comments on the mechanics of moving players into the cave, hinting at previous experiences with the game setup. Brian indicates he will look around the corner of the cave and jokingly warns that if he yells about being eaten by a bear, they should come to help. Merideth humorously supports Brian’s plan as a good system for communication. Joe questions whether Brian will yell in bear language or a language they all understand, adding to the whimsical tone. As the players prepare to enter the cave, Ben describes the cave as comfortably large, sloping downward into a dome-like structure. He details the cave’s features, including thick roots from a giant oak tree that have intertwined with the cave’s stones, reinforcing the soil. The cave appears to be mostly naturally occurring, with signs of light-footed travel and cracks allowing filtered light to enter, creating a dim atmosphere. Luke notes that the light is insufficient to count as dim light throughout the cave. Ben describes a path curving to the right, inviting the players to decide how to proceed. Brian suggests he will try to communicate with the bear and humorously prepares the party for possible danger. Ben confirms that there are no bears visible yet as the players continue forward. Joe states that Bartholemeow, wanting to stay close to Thalmiir, lights a torch for visibility as they move deeper into the cave. Brian expresses his intention to call out to the bear in bear language, preparing to engage with it. Ben describes the entrance to the cave, noting a curtain of roots or vines that could be pushed aside to access deeper areas. As Brian calls out to the bear, there is a moment of anticipation, and the players await a response. Ben describes a deep, rumbling sound in response to Brian’s call, signaling the presence of the bear. There is playful banter among the players about the bear’s response, with Luke joking about the bear’s potential behavior. Brian continues the conversation with the bear, explaining their presence and intentions, while the bear seems confused about the situation. Ben plays the bear’s responses, with the bear asserting its ownership of the cave and questioning Brian’s intentions regarding the gold. The conversation becomes humorous as the party attempts to navigate the bear’s responses, with playful jabs about the bear’s nature. Joe encourages Pebblesong, giving her bardic inspiration, which adds a layer of camaraderie to the group dynamics. Brian decides to cast Animal Friendship on the bear, wanting to establish a bond and avoid conflict. Ben sets up the encounter by indicating that they will roll for initiative to determine the order of actions. The players engage in lighthearted banter about their initiative rolls as they prepare for the next phase of the encounter. Ben confirms that Pebblesong will act first, as she intends to cast Animal Friendship. Ben poses a rules question about readying actions in the context of the upcoming spellcasting. Pebblesong successfully casts Animal Friendship on the bear, which causes a magical connection to form despite the bear’s initial displeasure. The session concludes with the bear’s reluctant acceptance of the spell’s effects, leaving the players eager for the next session to continue the unfolding drama. The players express surprise at the direction of the session, with Brian noting that the inclusion of squirrels and bears was unexpected.Session Notes