Session Overview
The party began their journey into the eerie Sablewood forest, tasked with delivering a mysterious package to the White Fire Arcanist. Almost immediately, they encountered what appeared to be an overturned merchant’s cart and a strange creature, a Strixwolf, feeding on the scene. After a swift and brutal combat, the group discovered the cart was a trap, leading to a second, more difficult ambush by a group of frog-like Thistlefolk. The adventurers fought hard, overcoming the ambush and defeating their attackers, but not without taking significant damage.
Attendees & Status
- Present:
- Jinks (Game Master)
- Justin (playing Varian, Wildborne Katari Ranger)
- Sidney (playing Khari Nix, Ridgeborne Giant Guardian)
- Erik (playing Marlowe Fairwind, a spellcaster)
- Speaker 6 (Character name not mentioned, but was pulling up the rear)
- Status:
- Varian: Took major damage (2 HP) and then minor damage (1 HP) from an AoE attack.
- Marlowe: Took major damage (2 HP) and then minor damage (1 HP) from an AoE attack.
- Kari: Took major damage (2 HP), then minor damage (1 HP) from an AoE attack, and another minor damage (1 HP) from a direct hit. Used 1 point of armor to reduce the severity of one attack.
- No levels or milestones were mentioned.
Discovered/Known Locations
- Sablewood: A sprawling forest of colossal, ancient trees.
- Environment: Characterized by sunken pathways used as trade routes, strange hybrid animals (lark moths, lemur toads, fox bats, flying squirrels), and an ancient, eerie atmosphere.
- Time: The party entered in the evening of October 10th, 2025.
Key Events
- Strixwolf Encounter: The party’s cart was blocked by an overturned merchant’s cart. A Strixwolf with two cubs was feeding on the dead merchant. Varian immediately shot at it, triggering combat.
- Outcome: The party defeated the Strixwolf. Justin (as Varian) dealt the final blow with his “Vicious Entangle” spell, causing vines to crush the creature. The cubs fled into the forest.
- Thistlefolk Ambush: Immediately after the Strixwolf fight, the party was ambushed by four Thistlefolk (frog-like humanoids called Ribbits), revealing the overturned cart was a trap.
- The Thistlefolk leader used a powerful blast ability, knocking back and damaging Varian and Marlowe.
- Outcome: The party successfully fought off and killed all four ambushers. The final Thistlefolk was killed by Varian. The leader’s goal seemed to be stealing the party’s carriage.
Character History & Reveals
- Varian: Has a “shoot first, ask questions later” approach to potential threats. Has always wanted to drive a cart, despite not having much experience.
- Kari: Feels she is too large to fit comfortably inside the carriage and prefers to travel on foot behind it.
Important NPC Interactions
- Strixwolf: The creature was initially curious, not immediately aggressive. It was protecting two cubs and feeding on a dead merchant. Varian’s attack prompted it to fight.
- Thistlefolk (Ribbits): A group of four frog-like humanoids who set an ambush for the party using the overturned merchant cart as a decoy. They attacked without hesitation. One was identified (jokingly) as “Pepe” due to a name tag.
Loot Acquired
- Party Treasure: The party discussed checking the overturned merchant’s cart for salvageable goods to return to the merchant’s next of kin, but were ambushed before they could.
- Personal Items: Kari considered butchering the Strixwolf for meat.
Notable Quotes
Varian (Justin): “I’ve always wanted to drive. I imagine I don’t do a whole lot of cart driving but you know how hard can it be?” (Upon being asked to drive the party’s carriage at the start of the session)
Varian (Justin): “I’m just gonna use my deadly aim and put an arrow like right between this thing’s eyes.” (Immediately upon seeing the Strixwolf, before anyone else could react)
Marlowe (Erik): “Do you think it’s a safe creature or… Okay, there’s my answer.” (Speaking to Varian about the Strixwolf, but is cut off as Varian fires his arrow)
Kari (Sidney): “Aw, it’s a friend!” (Her initial, mistaken impression of the Strixwolf before realizing it was eating a person’s hand)
Next Time
- The party has cleared the immediate threat and will likely proceed on their journey through the Sablewood.
- Their next destination is a village named Hush.
- They still need to investigate the overturned merchant’s cart.
Meta-Session Information
- Scheduling: The group plans to play again next Thursday. They will attempt to contact another player, Ryan, to see if he can join.
- Campaign Notes: The GM, Jinks, ran his first session. The players and GM discussed the “Hope/Fear” turn-taking mechanic of the Daggerheart system, aiming to get a better handle on it in future sessions.
- Table Notes: Another player, Erik, is running a separate campaign for the group and will be sending out a questionnaire to gather input on backstories and desired adventure direction now that the characters are more established. The group also briefly discussed virtual tabletop options like Foundry and Demiplane.