Session 2025-03-15 — Age of Ashes

Narrative Summary

The party traveled to Guardian's Way, an abandoned military outpost from the Goblinblood Wars located six miles northwest of Breachill. The site had been claimed by the Bloody Blades, mercenaries led by the hobgoblin commander Dmiri Yoltosha, serving as Voz Lirayne's hired muscle to prevent interference with her work.

The party approached the outpost and engaged the mercenaries in combat. The Bloody Blades consisted of several skilled fighters—Spiro, Trenk, Coulsen, Aleeson, and others—positioned across the platform structures and surrounding ground. Frazzle, a new party member (an Oracle with goblin heritage and Empty Whispers background), joined the combat for the first time, initially struggling with Foundry mechanics and spell casting protocols.

The battle proved challenging but relatively brief. The mercenaries inflicted serious damage, with Theo taking a massive hit (30 damage) and falling unconscious, and Nadira taking significant wounds. However, the party's coordinated assault—featuring Nadira's divine healing, William's defensive prowess, Alak's devastating strikes with his greatsword, Trisiel's support, Frazzle's offensive spellcasting, and Theo's electrical and alchemical attacks—systematically eliminated the mercenary force.

Dmiri Yoltosha, realizing defeat was inevitable as her command lay slain around her, accepted Nadira's offer to surrender rather than fight to the death. The hobgoblin captain provided critical intelligence: Voz had hired the Bloody Blades three weeks prior, paying five hundred silver pieces up front with another five hundred promised upon return. Dmiri's orders were simple—secure the outpost and prevent interference. Voz had ventured into caves east of Guardian's Way four days prior, indicating she might be gone a week or longer. Dmiri also reported that Voz spoke of "portals" and "ancient elven magic," suggesting obsession with whatever lay in those caves.

Notably, Dmiri expressed no knowledge of the "Cinderclaws" when Nadira mentioned them, and denied any awareness of allies beyond the Bloody Blades, suggesting Voz operated with significant compartmentalization of her network.

After the combat, Nadira healed the party through various Medicine checks and spell casting, bringing wounded members to full health. The party secured Dmiri as a prisoner and looted the mercenary camp, finding healing potions, rope, grappling hooks, and an everlight crystal. They also recovered payment from Dmiri's satchel.

The party decided to return to Breachill immediately with their prisoner to deliver her to the authorities and rest. They plan to return to Guardian's Way the following day to explore the caves where Voz had disappeared.

Session Notes

Key events:

Arrived at Guardian's Way and engaged the Bloody Blades in combat
Defeated Dmiri Yoltosha and her mercenary company
Took Dmiri Yoltosha prisoner; extracted intelligence about Voz's activities
Learned that Voz is interested in ancient elven portals and magic
Discovered Voz ventured into caves east of Guardian's Way four days prior
Looted the mercenary camp for supplies and treasure

NPCs encountered:

Dmiri Yoltosha (hobgoblin mercenary captain, now prisoner; leader of the Bloody Blades)
Spiro, Trenk, Coulsen, Aleeson (mercenary fighters, defeated)
Frazzle (Oracle/Goblin; first appearance in campaign, learning Foundry mechanics mid-combat)

Combat:

The Bloody Blades (approximately 5-6 mercenaries plus commander)
Significant damage dealt to party: Theo knocked unconscious (30 damage), Nadira sustained heavy wounds
Combat ended with Dmiri's surrender after her forces were decimated
Alak Stagram mentioned Dmiri's existing bounty (20 gold for capture, 10 for proof of death) from crimes across three provinces

Party decisions:

Accepted Dmiri's surrender rather than executing her
Decided to transport Dmiri to Breachill authorities for imprisonment and questioning
Committed to returning to Guardian's Way to explore the caves Voz accessed

Unresolved threads:

Caves east of Guardian's Way containing elven portals or magical sites
Purpose of Alseta's Ring and whether Voz has found it
Connection between Voz's research and the Scarlet Triad's involvement
Relationship between Voz's activities and the Cinderclaw cult from Book 1
Why Dmiri expressed no knowledge of the Cinderclaws, despite apparent connection

Rewards/loot:

Healing potions (quantity unspecified)
Rope and grappling hooks
Everlight crystal (everlight lantern equivalent)
Payment from Dmiri's satchel (approximately 500 silver pieces from initial contract payment)
Dmiri's weapons and armor added to party stash (exact items not specified)

Session Mechanics and Notes

First appearance: Frazzle (player: jerethi50) joined the campaign as a new character (Oracle with Moon mystery and Gunslinger archetype)
Learning curve: Frazzle spent significant time learning Foundry mechanics, spell targeting, movement, and action economy during combat—this is normal for new VTT users
Healing mechanics: Nadira learned that Treat Wounds can be used consecutively on different targets due to overlapping immunity periods; plans to take Ward Medic feat at next level-up for faster party healing in downtime
Encumbrance issue: William was carrying 10 out of 9 encumbrance due to looted arrows; party discussed offloading lower-value items to party stash
Time tracking: DM implemented world clock system to track downtime activities

Campaign Status

Party is now level 4 (or equivalent; character sheets being refined)
Transitioned from Book 1 (Hellknight Hill) to investigation of Voz Lirayne and the Scarlet Triad threat (Book 2: Cult of Cinders setup)
Major NPCs involved: Voz Lirayne (primary antagonist), Dmiri Yoltosha (prisoner), Falwan (investigator ally), Alak Stagram (companion)
Next session will explore the caves east of Guardian's Way where Voz was conducting her research on Alseta's Ring