## Session Description Setting: Forest path south of [[Alfield]], goblin refugee camp, hostile cult outpost Mission: Aid peaceful goblins, plan a rescue for [[Wip]], and expose the inner workings of a Bane-worshipping goblin warband ## Chapter #### Scene 1: Road Beyond Alfield - The party leaves [[Alfield]] with [[Volothamp Geddarm]] and [[Subotai]], bound for [[Zadash]]. - Farewells are exchanged with townsfolk and allies as they ride under overcast skies. - [[Thorag Stonefist|Thorag]] preps [[Stampede]], keeping watch on the path for signs of disturbance. #### Scene 2: Trade and Tales – [[the Dandelion Trail]] - The party meets [[Dellarin]], a halfling merchant from [[the Dandelion Trail]] caravan. - They trade for minor supplies and share rumors, including troubling reports of increased goblin movement and signs of a Bulette in the woods. - News emerges of a strange group of goblins who have fled from something darker than banditry. #### Scene 3: Fireside Refugees - The group is guided to a cautious encampment of goblins gathered around a low fire. - These goblins are peaceful refugees, having fled the Bane-worshipping faction that dominates their region. - They speak reverently of [[Goblok]]—not a deity, but a prophetic leader who advocates liberation and peace. - A wounded elder named [[Rubio]] tends to others, speaking Common fluently after time spent healing in [[Kamorta]]. - The goblins reveal that [[Dip]], a former member, returned with a zealot’s fury and kidnapped his own son, [[Wip]], to indoctrinate him into Bane’s cult. #### Scene 4: The Watcher in the Tree - While scouting the perimeter, the party discovers a lone goblin named [[Meep]] hiding in a tree. - [[Meep]] is a stealthy scout who has been monitoring the cult’s encampment for days. - He confirms that [[Dip]] now leads a violent cult fortified deep in the woods—and offers vital intelligence. #### Scene 5: Secrets in the Earth - [[Meep]] reveals two hidden paths into the enemy compound: - A barred river tunnel, partially submerged but closely watched. - A damaged rear fence, opened by a landslide and less defended. - The compound is described as a stockaded clearing with patrols, ogres, [[hobgoblins]], and a partially restrained [[Bulette]] used for terror. #### Scene 6: Words from the Sky - The party discusses tactics. [[Lilith Paige|Lilith]] casts _Skywrite_ to mimic divine intervention: > _“This is Bane. You have disappointed me. Release [[Wip]].”_ - The message sows chaos in the cult ranks—some fall to their knees, others panic. - But it backfires. In a show of fanatic discipline, an ogre drags young [[Dip]] to the wall and impales him on a pike, killing him before the party’s eyes. #### Scene 7: Clash and Withdrawal - A short skirmish breaks out as the party tries to close distance. - The [[Bulette]] strains against its chains, but is not released. - Unable to reach the body or mount a rescue, the group retreats in grim silence, carrying with them both intel and loss. ## Groups Encountered - [[the Dandelion Trail]] – Merchant caravan led by [[Dellarin]]. - _Peaceful Goblin Refugees_ – Survivors of Bane's cult, followers of [[Goblok]]. - _Cult of [[Bane]]_ – Zealot goblins led by [[Dip]], enforcing submission through violence and monsters. - [[Meep]] – Tree-bound scout and informant; knows hidden ways into the enemy camp. - [[Rubio]] – Goblin healer, formerly of [[Kamorta]], serves as leader and caretaker. --- ## Notable Events - The execution of [[Wip]] shatters morale and proves the cult’s brutality. - [[Lilith]]'s magical strategy succeeds in sowing doubt—but triggers deadly consequences. - [[Meep]] and the party now share a common goal: destabilize the cult and protect the remaining refugees. - The [[Bulette]] is confirmed to be real and operational—likely key to the cult’s dominance. ## Clues & Lore Revealed - Two secret entrances exist: a barred river tunnel and a damaged rear fence. - The cult’s faith in [[Bane]] is fragile, but their discipline is lethal. - [[Goblok]] is gaining followers and may represent an ideological uprising among goblins. - [[Meep]] has studied enemy patterns, and may provide infiltration aid in the near future.