Campaign Reset

Unfortunately, most of the players have had to drop out of the campaign for various reasons. Out of the six people who were playing previously, only John Hastings (Birel) and Keaton Clark (Katsumi) have chosen to remain. However, several new people have joined, so rather than simply abandoning the campaign completely, I've decided to just do a campaign reset and start over from the beginning. The cast for this new campaign thus far is as follows:

Birel
played by John Hastings

Age: ???
Sex: Female (player is male in real life)
Race: Elf
Class: Guardian Druid [DEFENDER]
Paragon Path: Guardian of the Living Gate
Epic Destiny: ???

---

Background: Far-Traveler (from Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide)
Why Are You Here?: Wanderer
Personality Trait: I express affection or displeasure in ways that are unfamiliar to others.
Ideals: Inquisitive. Everything is new. I have a thirst to learn.
Bonds: So long as I have my totem from my homeland, I can face all challenges of this new land.
Flaws: I have a weakness for the new intoxicants and other pleasures of this land.
Feature — All Eyes On You: My accent, mannerisms, figures of speech, and even my appearance all mark me as foreign. Curious glances are directed me way wherever I go, which can be a nuisance, but I also gain the friendly interest of scholars and others intrigued by far-off lands, to say nothing of everyday folk who are eager to hear stories of my homeland. I can parley this attention into access to people and places I might not otherwise have, for both I and my traveling companions. Noble lords, scholars, and merchant princes, to name a few, are often interested in hearing about my distant homeland and people.

---

Origin Story: ???
Personal Quest: To sample all the wonderful pleasures of every land I visit.

---

At-Will Powers: Chill Wind, Call of the Beast, Grasping Claws
Encounter Powers: Frost Flash, Elven Accuracy
Daily Powers: Fires of Life
Utility Powers: N/A
Feats: Primal Instinct
Rituals: Animal Messenger, Commune With Nature

Katsumi
played by Keaton Clark

Age: ???
Sex: Male
Race: Hengeyokai (Animal Form: fox)
Class: Earth Warden [DEFENDER]
Paragon Path: ???
Epic Destiny: ???

---

Background: Sage
Specialty: Astronomer
Personality Trait: I'm willing to listen to every side of an argument before I make my own judgement.
Ideal: Self-Improvement. The goal of a life of study is the betterment of oneself. (Any)
Bond: It is my duty to protect the weak.
Flaw: I can't keep a secret to save my life, or anyone else's.
Feature — Researcher: Whenever I attempt to learn or recall a piece of lore, if I do not already know the information, I often know where and from whom I can obtain it. Usually this information comes from a library, scriptorium, university, or a sage or other learned person or creature. However, there are some pieces of knowledge which are so obscure or hidden away in such inaccessible locations that even I cannot find them, and unearthing the deepest secrets of the multiverse can take a lifetime.

---

Origin Story: ???
Personal Quest: ???

---

At-Will Powers: ???
Encounter Powers: ???
Daily Powers: ???
Utility Powers: N/A
Feats: ???
Rituals: ???

Iados Amn
played by Paul Jepsen

Age: 30
Sex: Male
Race: Tiefling
Class: Archer Ranger [STRIKER]
Paragon Path: ???
Epic Destiny: ???

---

Background: Criminal (Variant: Spy)
Specialty: Blackmailer
Personality Trait: I always have a plan for what to do when things go wrong.
Ideal: Freedom. Chains are meant to be broken, as are those who would forge them. (Chaotic)
Bond: I'm trying to pay off an old debt I owe to generous benefactor.
Flaw: I turn tail and run when things look bad.
Feature — Criminal Contact: I have a reliable and trustworthy contact who acts as my liaison to a network of other criminals. I know how to get messages to and from my contact, even over great distances; specifically, I know the local messengers, corrupt caravan masters, and seedy sailors who can deliver messages for me.

---

Origin Story: ???
Personal Quest: ???

---

At-Will Powers: Careful Attack, Nimble Strike
Encounter Powers: Evasive Strike
Daily Powers: Hunter's Bear Trap
Utility Powers: N/A
Feats: Agile Hunter
Rituals: N/A

Euze

played by Brad Kammerman

Age:

25

Sex:

Male

Race:

Longtooth Shifter

Class:

Battlesmith Artificer [LEADER/controller]

Paragon Path:

???

Epic Destiny:

???

---

Background:

Outlander

Origin:

Exile/Outcast

Personality Trait:

I was, in fact, raised by wolves.

Ideal:

Change. Life is like the seasons, in constant change, and we must change with it. (Chaotic)

Bond:

My family, clan, or tribe is the most important thing in my life, even when they are far from me.

Flaw:

There's no room for caution in a life lived to the fullest.

Feature — Wanderer:

I have an excellent memory for maps and geography, and I can always recall the general layout of terrain, settlements, and other features around me. In addition, I can find food and fresh water for myself and up to five other people each day, provided that the land offers berries, small game, water, and so forth.

---

Origin Story:

???

Personal Quest:

???

---

At-Will Powers (Prayers):

Thundering Armor, Aggravating Force

Encounter Powers (Prayers):

Longtooth Shifting, Healing Infusion: Curative Admixture, Healing Infusion: Resistive Formula, Burning Weapons

Daily Powers (Prayers):

Obedient Servant

Utility Powers (Prayers):

N/A

Feats:

Armor Proficiency (Hide)

Rituals:

N/A

---

Aggravating Force

Artificer Attack 1

When your infused weapon strikes an enemy, the weapon unleashes a force that rattles the foe.

At-Will ♦ Arcane, Force, Weapon
Standard Action ♦ Melee or Ranged weapon
Target: One creature
Attack: Intelligence vs. AC

Hit: 1[W] + Intelligence modifier force damage, and the next ally to attack the target before the end of your next turn gains a +2 power bonus to the attack roll.

Level 21: 2[W] + Intelligence modifier damage.

Tariel

played by Natalie

Age:

???

Sex:

Female

Race:

Deva

Class:

Wrathful Invoker [CONTROLLER/striker]

Paragon Path:

???

Epic Destiny:

???

---

Background:

Noble

Personality Trait:

Despite my noble birth, I do not place myself above other folk. We all have the same blood.

Ideal:

Independence. I must prove that I can handle myself without the coddling of my family. (Chaotic)

Bond:

The common folk must see me as a hero of the people.

Flaw:

I hide a truly scandelous secret that could ruin my family forever.

Feature — Position of Privilege:

Thanks to my noble birth, people are inclined to think the best of me. I am welcome in high society, and people assume I have the right to be wherever I am. The common folk make every effort to accommodate me and avoid my displeasure, and other people of high birth treat me as a member of the same social sphere. I can secure an audience with a local noble if I need to.

---

Origin Story:

???

Personal Quest:

???

---

At-Will Powers (Prayers):

Sun Strike, Grasping Shards

Encounter Powers (Prayers):

Channel Divinity: Armor of Wrath, Channel Divinity: Rebuke Undead, Blades of Astral Fire, Channel Divinity: Sehanine's Reversal

Daily Powers (Prayers):

Angelic Echelon

Utility Powers (Prayers):

N/A

Feats:

Ritual Caster, Sehanine's Reversal

Rituals:

Hand of Fate, Gentle Repose

---

Sun Strike

Invoker Attack 1

A beam of radiant energy extends from your hands to bathe a foe in searing light and force it to move.

At-Will ♦ Divine, Implement, Radiant
Standard Action ♦ Ranged 10
Target: One creature
Attack: Wisdom vs. Reflex

Hit: 1d8 + Wisdom modifier radiant damage, and you slide the target 1 square.

Level 21: 2d8 + Wisdom modifier radiant damage.

Special: You can use this power as a ranged basic attack.

Grasping Shards

Invoker Attack 1

You hurl a crystalline sphere of magic at your foes. On impact, it splinters into hundreds of tiny, radiant blades, which slice into your enemies and slow their movement.

At-Will ♦ Divine, Implement, Radiant
Standard Action ♦ Area Burst 1 within 10 squares
Target: Each creature in burst
Attack: Wisdom vs. Fortitude

Hit: Wisdom modifier radiant damage, and the target is slowed until the end of your next turn.

Level 21: 1d10 + Wisdom modifier radiant damage.

Channel Divinity: Armor of Wrath

Invoker Feature

As your foe strikes, you invoke the gods' power to encase yourself in a burning aura of radiant energy.

Encounter ♦ Divine, Radiant
Immediate Reaction ♦ Close Burst 5
Trigger: An enemy within 5 squares of you hits you
Target: The triggering enemy in a burst

Effect: The target takes radiant damage equal to your Constitution modifier, and you push the target 2 squares.

Level 11: 1d6 + Constitution modifier radiant damage.
Level 21: 2d6 + Constitution modifier radiant damage.

Channel Divinity: Rebuke Undead

Invoker Feature

Undead flee and then cower in your presence, their bodies seared by divine light.

Encounter ♦ Divine, Implement, Radiant
Standard Action ♦ Close Blast 5
Target: Each undead creature in blast
Attack: Wisdom vs. Will

Hit: 2d10 + Wisdom modifier radiant damage. You push the target 2 squares, and it is dazed until the end of your next turn.

Level 5: 2d10 + Wisdom modifier radiant damage.
Level 11: 3d10 + Wisdom modifier radiant damage.
Level 15: 4d10 + Wisdom modifier radiant damage.
Level 21: 5d10 + Wisdom modifier radiant damage.
Level 25: 6d10 + Wisdom modifier radiant damage.

Miss: Half damage.

Channel Divinity: Sehanine's Reversal

Feat Power

Sehanine's blessing turns the powers of your enemies against them.

Encounter ♦ Divine
No Action ♦ Ranged 5
Trigger: You roll a natural 20 on a saving throw

Effect: Chose an enemy within range; that creature gains the condition you just saved against.

Special: You must take the Sehanine's Reversal feat to use this power.

Blades of Astral Fire

Invoker Attack 1

Gleaming blades of radiant energy appear and strike your foes. The blades then transform into spectral shields that protect your allies.

Encounter ♦ Divine, Implement, Radiant
Standard Action ♦ Area Burst 1 within 10 squares
Target: Each enemy in burst
Attack: Wisdom vs. Reflex

Hit: 1d6 + Wisdom modifier radiant damage.

Effect: Each ally in the burst gains a +2 power bonus to AC until the end of your next turn.

Covenant of Preservation: The bonus to AC equals 1 + your Intelligence modifier.

Angelic Echelon

Invoker Attack 1

Spectral angels swoop down to attack the foes around you and then linger briefly, threatening to inflict further damage.

Daily ♦ Divine, Implement, Radiant
Standard Action ♦ Close Burst 3
Target: Each enemy in burst
Attack: Wisdom vs. Will

Hit: 1d6 + Wisdom modifier radiant damage. Whenever the target attacks before the end of your next turn, the target takes 5 radiant damage.

Miss: Half damage.

Finally, a real fight!

Picking up immediately from where we left off last time, Uhtred is running away from the three goblins, Birel sneaking up from behind. Birel shifts back into her bear form, and continues her pursuit. Suddenly, they stumble across the path of an adventuring party that just so happens to be traveling through that particular part of the forest. The adventuring party consists of four members: a male Hengeyokai fox Warden named Katsumi, a female Dragonborn Assassin named Black Core, a genderless Shardmind Preservation Invoker named Nuraiya, and a male Eladrin Control Wizard named Erevan. These four see Uhtred bursting out of a cave with three goblins and a bear chasing after him, and so they decide to help. Erevan casts Cloud of Daggers on one of the goblins. Birel continuously swipes at the goblins with her bear claws, but can't seem to hit any of them. Everyone else uses various abilities, and within a minute or two, all three goblins are lying dead near the cave entrance. Uhtred feels some remorse, as he hadn't initially wanted to kill the goblins, but Black Core quickly reassures him that goblins are not worth crying over.

Birel (who is still in bear form) decides to go back to explore the cave the goblins came from, and Black Core follows her. Inside the cave, Birel shifts back into her Elf form and introduces herself to Black Core, who is mildly surprised, but not much. The rest of the party (including Uhtred) follow behind, and after being introduced to Birel, they begin exploring the cave. On the dingy table the goblins were sitting around, the party finds some food, playing cards, copper coins and a crudely drawn map of Albridge. The mayor's house and þe Alde Bone Tavern are circled on the map. Huraiya notices a pouch hanging from one of the chairs, and upon opening it, discovers 40 gold pieces inside.

Black Core then stealthily scouts ahead down a tunnel in the back of the cave, and discovers another room around the corner. The room is dimly lit, debris litter the floor, and there are three goblin cutters and one goblin hexer standing near a crackling fire in a brazier, while a fourth goblin cutter guards a set of double doors which undoubtedly open up to a passage leading deeper into the cave. The goblins in this room all fail to notice Black Core due to a successful stealth check, and the rest of the party slowly creeps up behind Black Core. Then they all suddenly burst into the room, taking the goblins by surprise and slaughtering most of the cutters before they can even react. The goblin hexer is tougher though, and takes longer to fell, though he does eventually succumb, but not before getting a few spells off with the magical rod he's carrying.

But just as the party had thought they won, four giant rats and two fire beetles burst out from the piles of rubble strewn across the floor and proceed to attack the party.  Black Core throws a javelin at one of the fire beetles, but she gets a critical miss, and her javelin hits the wall instead and breaks in half. The other party members then proceed to attack the rats and beetles in turn. As the battle is raging, Black Core loots the body of the goblin hexer, finding some leather robes and a hexer rod inscribed with strange runes. Three of the rats are quickly slain, but the fire beetles use Fire Spray, knocking out first Erevan and then Uhtred. The party manages to slay one of the beetles, but the other is still going, though obviously very weakened.

Due to Blakfyre Games closing for the night, the game session had to be cut short before the combat encounter could be concluded. One giant rat and one fire beetle still remain, and two party members (Erevan and Uhtred) have been rendered unconscious. The following pictures depict the final state of the game for this session:

Newcomers! Additional party members join the battle!

Additional Cast:
New characters which have been created since the previous entry are listed below.

Katsumi
played by Keaton Clark

Age: ???
Sex: Male
Race: Hengeyokai (Animal Form: fox)
Class: Earth Warden [DEFENDER]
Paragon Path: ???
Epic Destiny: ???

---

Background: Sage
Specialty: Astronomer
Personality Trait: I'm willing to listen to every side of an argument before I make my own judgement.
Ideal: The goal of a life of study is the betterment of oneself. (Any)
Bond: It is my duty to protect the weak.
Flaw: I can't keep a secret to save my life, or anyone else's.
Feature — Researcher: Whenever I attempt to learn or recall a piece of lore, if I do not already know the information, I often know where and from whom I can obtain it. Usually this information comes from a library, scriptorium, university, or a sage or other learned person or creature. However, there are some pieces of knowledge which are so obscure or hidden away in such inaccessible locations that even I cannot find them, and unearthing the deepest secrets of the multiverse can take a lifetime.
Purposeful Journey: ???

---

At-Will Powers: ???
Encounter Powers: ???
Daily Powers: ???
Utility Powers: N/A
Feats: ???
Rituals: ???

Black Core
played by Chantel Jones

Age: 200 (approximately)
Sex: Female
Race: Dragonborn
Class: Assassin [STRIKER] (from Forgotten Heroes: Scythe & Shroud)
Paragon Path: ???
Epic Destiny: ???

---

Background: Criminal
Criminal Specialty: ???
Personality Trait: ???
Ideal: ???
Bond: ???
Flaw: ???
Feature — Criminal Contract: ???
Purposeful Journey: ???

---

At-Will Powers: ???
Encounter Powers: ???
Daily Powers: ???
Utility Powers: N/A
Feats: ???
Rituals: ???

Nuraiya (pronounced: new-rai-ya)
played by Nikolas Ver Steeg

Age: ???
Sex: Genderless, but usually takes on a masculine appearance
Race: Shardmind
Class: Invoker — Covenant of Preservation [CONTROLLER/LEADER]
Paragon Path: ???
Epic Destiny: ???

---

Background: Acolyte
Personality Trait: ???
Ideal: ???
Bond: ???
Flaw: ???
Feature — Shelter of the Faithful: As an acolyte, I command the respect of those who share my faith, and I can perform the religious ceremonies of my deity Ioun. My adventuring companions and I can expect to receive free healing and care at a temple, shrine, or other established presence of my faith, though we must provide any material components needed for spells. Those who share my religion will support me (but only me) at a modest lifestyle. I might also have ties to a specific temple dedicated to Ioun, and I have a residence there. This could be the temple where I used to serve, if I remain on good terms with it, or a temple where I have found a new home. While near my temple, I can call upon the priests for assistance, provided the assistance I ask for is not hazardous and I remain in good standing with my temple.
Purposeful Journey: I intend to rebuild the Shard Gate. Though I know such a monumental task will inevitably take eons to complete, it is what I personally believe would be most pleasing to my goddess Ioun, the great protector who gave life unto my race.

---

At-Will Powers: ???
Encounter Powers: ???
Daily Powers: ???
Utility Powers: N/A
Feats: ???
Rituals: ???

Erevan Valenvae
played by Nicholas Lloyd

Age: 78
Sex: Male
Race: Eladrin
Class: Control Wizard [CONTROLLER]
Paragon Path: ???
Epic Destiny: ???

---

Background: Hermit
Life of Seclusion: I was exiled for I crime that I didn't commit.
Personality Trait: ???
Ideal: I feel tremendous empathy for those who suffer.
Bond: My isolation has given me insight into a great evil that only I can harness.
Flaw: I'd risk too much for too little.
Feature — Discovery: I have discovered the location of Tharizdun, god of Eternal Darkness, Decay, Entropy, Malign Knowledge, Insanity, and Cold.
Purposeful Journey: [CLASSIFIED]

---

At-Will Powers: Cloud of Daggers, Ray of Frost
Encounter Powers: Ray of Enfeeblement
Daily Powers: Sleep
Utility Powers: N/A
Feats: ???
Rituals: ???

Rivek
played by Jason Thurgood

Age: 47
Sex: Male
Race: Githzerai
Class: Artificier [LEADER]
Paragon Path: ???
Epic Destiny: ???

---

Background: Sage
Specialty: Researcher
Personality Trait: I'm used to helping out those who aren’t as smart as I am, and I patiently explain anything and everything to others.
Ideal: The path to power and self-improvement is through knowledge. (Neutral)
Bond: I have an ancient text that holds terrible secrets that must not fall into the wrong hands.
Flaw: Most people scream and run when they see a demon. I stop and take notes on its anatomy.
Feature — Researcher: Whenever I attempt to learn or recall a piece of lore, if I do not already know the information, I often know where and from whom I can obtain it. Usually this information comes from a library, scriptorium, university, or a sage or other learned person or creature. However, there are some pieces of knowledge which are so obscure or hidden away in such inaccessible locations that even I cannot find them, and unearthing the deepest secrets of the multiverse can take a lifetime.
Purposeful Journey: ???

---

At-Will Powers: Magic Weapon, Thunderous Armor
Encounter Powers: Burning Weapons
Daily Powers: Punishing Eye (from Dragon Magazine) /OR/ Icebound Sigil
Utility Powers: N/A
Feats: Crossbow Caster
Rituals: N/A

NPC highlight: Paquil

Paquil

Paquil
Non-Player Character (NPC)

Sex: Male
Race: Dwarf
Profession: Brewmaster Barkeep & Alchemist

Characteristic: Speaks loudly or in whispers
Ideals: Independence (chaotic)
Bonds: Colleagues or compatriots
Flaws: Arrogance

---

Details: The alchemically gifted barkeep and proprietor of þe Alde Bone Tavern (i.e. The Old Bone Tavern — a small pub located in the village of Albridge), Paquil is a highly skilled brewmaster and alchemist who often combines his two trades with, shall we say, interesting results...

An obsessive compulsive perfectionist, Paquil plays his two trades off each other in order to push both to new and amazing heights, the likes of which make other barkeeps marvel in awe. However, because of his incredible skill and talent, he also has a tendency to be a bit of a prideful, arrogant, and independent loudmouth. He apparently lacks any fine volume control over his voice, and as such, he's nearly always either speaking so loud he's practically shouting, or whispering so softly that you have to strain your ears to hear. However, despite his pride and independence, he's fiercely loyal to his colleagues and compatriots. Those who befriend Paquil have a friend for life.

He possesses an encyclopedic knowledge of both alcohol and alchemy, and can whip up the meanest cocktails (of either variety) that your brain can imagine. Should the players require any assistance with either alcoholic or alchemical problems, Paquil may be willing to lend a hand.

Purposeful Journey / Personal Quest

The Purposeful Journey is a unique concept I created myself to add an additional layer of personality and flavor to your character's background, as well as providing a foundation for future gameplay sessions and story hooks. Your Purposeful Journey is a special quest or task that your character must complete in order to save, help, honor, or otherwise benefit someone that your character deeply cares about and has a personal connection to. It is not something simple or easy, and is expected to take the full length of the campaign to complete. Try to come up with something interesting, unique, and deeply personal that would motivate your character to go on an epic journey for a specific purpose in the service of someone else.

I came up with this idea after watching a YouTube video called Shonen Anime's Biggest Problem, by Reality Punch Studios. Watching this video will give you a better understanding of your Purposeful Journey and what the intention behind it is supposed to be.

EDIT: I have chosen to change the name of this feature to "Personal Quest," which I feel is a more intuitive and straightforward label.

Beginnings

The Cast So Far:
Characters which have been created so far are listed below.

Birel
played by John Hastings

Age: ???
Sex: Female
Race: Elf
Class: Guardian Druid [DEFENDER]
Paragon Path: Guardian of the Living Gate
Epic Destiny: ???

---

Background: Far-Traveler (from Sword Coast Adventurer’s Guide)
Why Are You Here?: Wanderer
Personality Trait: I express affection or displeasure in ways that are unfamiliar to others.
Ideals: Inquisitive. Everything is new. I have a thirst to learn.
Bonds: So long as I have my totem from my homeland, I can face all challenges of this new land.
Flaws: I have a weakness for the new intoxicants and other pleasures of this land.
Feature — All Eyes On You: My accent, mannerisms, figures of speech, and even my appearance all mark me as foreign. Curious glances are directed me way wherever I go, which can be a nuisance, but I also gain the friendly interest of scholars and others intrigued by far-off lands, to say nothing of everyday folk who are eager to hear stories of my homeland. I can parley this attention into access to people and places I might not otherwise have, for both I and my traveling companions. Noble lords, scholars, and merchant princes, to name a few, are often interested in hearing about my distant homeland and people.
Purposeful Journey: To sample all the wonderful intoxicants and pleasures of every land I visit.

---

At-Will Powers: Chill Wind, Call of the Beast, Grasping Claws
Encounter Powers: Frost Flash, Elven Accuracy
Daily Powers: Fires of Life
Utility Powers: N/A
Feats: Primal Instinct
Rituals: Animal Messenger, Commune With Nature

Uhtred
played by John Gilbert Kemp

Age: ???
Sex: Male
Race: Human
Class: Archer Ranger [STRIKER]
Paragon Path: ???
Epic Destiny: ???

---

Background: Hermit
Life of Seclusion: I was searching for spiritual enlightenment.
Personality Trait: The leader of my community had something wise to say on every topic, and I am eager to share that wisdom.
Ideals: Logic. Emotions must not cloud our sense of what is right and true, or our logical thinking. (Lawful)
Bonds: I'm still seeking the enlightenment I pursued in my seclusion, and it still eludes me.
Flaws: I am dogmatic in my thoughts and philosophy.
Feature — Discovery: I discovered a hidden cache of alchemical documents in an abandoned cave near my village. I used the arcane knowledge in these documents to diagnose the terrible plague that is afflicting my people, as well as discover the cure. Unfortunately, the cure requires many rare ingredients, and I must journey across many continents to collect them all.
Purposeful Journey: My village is suffering from a terrible plague, and I must journey across the continents to gather the ingredients needed to brew a cure.

---

At-Will Powers: ???
Encounter Powers: ???
Daily Powers: ???
Utility Powers: N/A
Feats: ???
Rituals: ???

---

Maps and Setting:

This campaign will be a homebrew setting combining elements of The Nentir Vale, Eberron, Forgotten Realms, Oriental Adventures, and potentially Dark Sun, as well as any other random stuff we happen to like. We will be playing (mostly) by the 4th Edition rules, with the exception that we will be using the Backgrounds feature from 5th Edition. Features and/or rules from other editions may potentially be incorporated later on, at the DM's discretion.

The Nentir Vale

Harkenwold

Albridge

The only location in Albridge that was relevant for the first game session was a pub called þe Alde Bone Tavern (i.e. The Old Bone Tavern), a unique homebrew location created specifically for this campaign. þe Alde Bone Tavern is owned and operated by a dwarven brewmaster and alchemist named Paquil, an arrogant and independent loudmouth who often combines his two crafts with, shall we say, interesting results...

---

Day 1 – 7/26/2017: Arrival in Albridge:

Birel and Uhtred arrive on the outskirts of Albridge, a small village in the barony of Harkenwold, located in the southeast reach of the Nentir Vale. Birel arrives by wandering in from the Briar Hills while in bear form, and Uhtred by hitchhiking a ride on a wagon traveling along the King's Road.

As he steps out of the wagon, Uhtred notices Birel, who is in bear form and catching fish in the White River. As far as Uhtred knows, this is just an ordinary bear, and so he draws his short bow just in case it decides to attack him. Birel notices, but does not engage. Uhtred experiences a strange sense of déjà vu, as though he has been in a situation like this before, but he can't remember any details. Uhtred backs away from Birel slowly and walks into town. Birel goes back to catching and eating fish from the river.

While in the town, Uhtred begins asking random people on the street if they know anything about an alchemical substance known as Powder of Green Fire, which is one of the ingredients he needs to brew a cure for the terrible plague that is afflicting the people in his homeland. None of the people on the street know anything about this strange substance, so Uhtred begins to believe he has come to the wrong village, and starts to leave to continue his search elsewhere. However, as he is about to leave the village, he notices a local pub called þe Alde Bone Tavern, and decides to ask in there first before moving on.

Inside þe Alde Bone Tavern, Uhtred meets Paquil, a Drawven alchemist and brewmaster who owns the tavern. Uhtred asks Paquil about Powder of Green Fire, and Paquil responds by informing Uhtred of a cave in the nearby Harken Forest. The cave has long since been abandoned, but it was formerly inhabited by a group of hermit alchemists, and it's possible there might be something of use in there. Paquil informs Uhtred that the village elders can lead him to the cave if he wants, but Uhtred says he can find the cave on his own, and heads off to do just that.

As Uhtred is walking across the plane towards the forest, a tremor shakes the ground. Birel – who is still in bear form catching and eating fish in the river – feels the tremor too, and looks around inquisitively. However, the tremor quickly ceases, and does not repeat, so Birel goes back to catching and eating fish, and Uhtred continues towards the forest, crossing the White River in the process.

As he crosses the White River, Uhtred once again comes near Birel, who notices him but again makes no move to engage. Uhtred also notices Birel, but ignores her and continues walking. Once Uhtred is a fair distance ahead, Birel transforms back into her normal elf form, and begins following Uhtred at a distance.

As Uhtred approaches the edge of the Harken Forest, he notices a foul smell in the air, like burning sulfur. Uhtred follows the smell through the forest, and it leads him straight to the entrance of the cave Paquil told him about. Uhtred enters the cave, while Birel hangs back at the entrance, cautiously observing from a safe distance.

Inside the cave, Uhtred finds a group of three goblins seated at a table. Luckily, Uhtred is fluent in goblin, and so he begins speaking to the goblins in their own language, asking them about Powder of Green Fire. He initially misspeaks, asking about Powder of Purple Fire instead, though he quickly corrects himself (presumably, the goblin words for “green” and “purple” are very similar to each other). Unfortunately, the goblins do not know anything about any Powders of Colored Fire (either green or purple), and they are upset at Uhtred for barging into their home uninvited, and they move to attack him. Uhtred draws his short bow and shoots one of the goblins in the leg, severely injuring it, but not killing it. Uhtred then runs out of the cave, and the goblins give chase as he runs back to Albridge. Birel, who has been unnoticed at this point, pulls her hood up over her head, pulls out her scythe, and begins following behind Uhtred and the goblins, gleefully mimicking a grim reaper.

And that's where we left our heroes this session.