Session 35 - 8 February 2026
Location: Crossroads Inn, Road to Thalas'Miriel
Date In-Game: Unknown (morning following Session 34)
Session Type: Main Quest - Travel & Combat
Key Events
- ToooAh returned from Fizwidget's Winter Realm after winning snowman sculpture competition (Natural 20 vs Natural 1)
- Received Horn of the Winter Gale as reward from Fizwidget Spindleflash
- Party departed Crossroads Inn heading east towards Thalas'Miriel (cathedral town)
- Lord Pompaduke the Third (the minstrel from Session 34) joined the party on the road
- Ambushed by goblin warband led by orc war boss approximately one hour into journey
- Combat encounter began with two goblins rushing Tessell and Elik'r Stormswallow
- Elik'r Stormswallow knocked unconscious (stabbed in back by goblin, 18 damage), revived by Tessell
- Session ended mid-combat with Elvva Beltavar unconscious in cart and combat ongoing
Party Members Present
- Ser Tessell Highfrost - Present, mounted on elk (unnamed), provided healing
- Lady Odonia of Galantri - Present, driving supply cart
- Elik'r Stormswallow - Present, mounted on celestial warhorse, knocked unconscious during combat (0 HP)
- Elvva Beltavar - Unconscious in cart throughout session (severe hangover from 26 drinks in Session 34)
- ToooAh - Returned from Fizwidget's Winter Realm, flying above party during travel
New Companion:
- Lord Pompaduke the Third - Bard, joined party on road, riding in cart with Odonia
NPCs Encountered
- Fizwidget Spindleflash - Challenged ToooAh to snowman sculpture competition in Winter Realm, lost (Natural 1), banished her back with gift
- Lord Pompaduke the Third - Human bard (same person as "Unnamed Minstrel" from Session 34)
- Appearance: Very posh and pretty, blonde hair, maroon shirt with gold inlays, cowboy-style hat with long feather, carries multiple instruments
- Personality: Lordly, theatrical, mischievous, claims to be "sensation around entire kingdom"
- Abilities: Can pull items from hat, performed 2-turn bardic ability creating portal to teleport allies
- Jumped from tree branch onto party's cart, announced he was travelling same direction
- Used Healing Word (1st level) on ToooAh during combat (14 HP restored)
- Used portal ability to teleport Tessell away from surrounded position
Enemy Forces (Ambush):
- Orc war boss (leader, dual-wielding weapons)
- Goblin shaman/sorcerer (skull-topped staff, cast lightning bolt)
- Multiple goblin warriors (sword/shield, spear, archer variants)
- One goblin with special ability: can swap places with any goblin within 15ft as reaction when hit
Locations Visited
-
Crossroads Inn (The Burrow and Barrel Inn) - Starting location, party had breakfast (potato-based)
- Pippa Porridgepot served garlic and butter potato fry-up
- Notice board outside with multiple postings:
- Silver Lantern Order recruitment (healers/protectors, serve Ilmater, led by High Priestess Elena, apply at Thalas'Miriel at Sanctuary of Quiet Waters)
- Giant wolf rumours ("tall as two men", howl turns milk sour, speaks riddles, borrowed someone's cloak)
- Civil war propaganda: "Back the royalty!" vs "Let the Flowers rule!"
- Iron Finch Company (led by Captain Mara Veylan) and other mercenary groups departed for Neverwinter
- Crimson Pike mercenaries not seen departing (whereabouts unknown)
-
Road to Thalas'Miriel - Ambush site approximately one hour east of Crossroads Inn
- Eerily quiet forest track
- Rocky terrain with half-cover positions
- Lord Pompaduke the Third encountered playing lute in tree 100 yards from inn
Quest Updates
-
Rally the North - Status: Active (travelling east towards Thalas'Miriel, will then decide whether to continue north to Neverwinter or east/south-east to Bane Watcher Citadel)
-
Visit Bane Watcher Citadel - Status: On Hold (party heading to cathedral town first, Elvva's corruption remains critical)
-
Silver Lantern Order - Status: New Optional (recruitment notice at Thalas'Miriel, serves Ilmater)
Combat Encounters
Goblin Warband Ambush (ONGOING)
Location: Forest road, one hour east of Crossroads Inn
Enemies:
-
Orc War Boss (leader, blank initiative marker)
-
Goblin Shaman (initiative marker "1", skull-topped staff)
- Cast lightning bolt (100ft line, 5ft wide, 34 damage halved to 17 for all who saved)
- Hit ToooAh, Odonia, and Elik'r Stormswallow
- Cast firebolt at ToooAh for 8 fire damage
- Special ability: Redirect - can swap places with any goblin within 15ft as reaction when hit
-
Goblin Warriors (multiple, various weapons)
- Two with sword/shield (initiative marker "5")
- One with spear (initiative marker "3")
- One archer (initiative marker "2")
- Critical hit on Elik'r Stormswallow - jumped on horse's back, stabbed downwards for 18 slashing damage (rolled Natural 20, double max damage), knocked Elik'r unconscious
- Slashed Tessell for 9 damage initially
- Slashed Elik'r for 1 damage (negated by Shepherd's Pie to 1), then 15 damage (attack of opportunity)
Environment:
- Wide forest path with a few rocks providing half-cover positions (+2 AC)
- Forest setting with trees
- Party dismounted for battle (except Elik'r Stormswallow on celestial warhorse): Odonia with cart, Tessell with elk, Lord Pompaduke the Third on cart, ToooAh flying 15ft above
- Elvva Beltavar unconscious in covered cart
Combat Highlights:
Initiative Order: Lord Pompaduke the Third (21, Natural 20), Elik'r Stormswallow (17), Ser Tessell Highfrost (11), ToooAh (8), Odonia (6), enemies
Round 1:
- Two goblins rushed from ambush positions
- Goblin hit Elik'r Stormswallow for 1 damage (Shepherd's Pie negated 5 damage)
- Goblin hit Tessell for 9 slashing damage
- Orc war boss threw javelin at ToooAh (Natural 20), ToooAh used Deflect Missiles reaction (reduced damage by 16), took 4 slashing as glancing blow
- Goblin shaman cast lightning bolt (100ft line) hitting ToooAh, Odonia, and Elik'r Stormswallow
- All three passed Dexterity saves (DC unknown)
- ToooAh: 22 save (halved 34 to 17 damage, dropped to 12 HP from 33 max)
- Odonia: 24 save (halved to 17 damage)
- Elik'r Stormswallow: 17 save (halved to 17 damage)
- Lord Pompaduke the Third cast Healing Word (1st level) on ToooAh for 14 HP (brought to 26 HP)
- Lord Pompaduke the Third began playing "rock ballad" on lute (2-turn ability, "boss music", aggressive head-banging tempo)
- Elik'r Stormswallow used Trampling Charge on goblin (DC 14 Strength save, goblin passed with 15, not knocked prone)
- Dealt 11 bludgeoning damage to goblin
- Took 15 slashing damage from attack of opportunity (goblin critical hit on way past)
- Made second attack for 10 damage, killed goblin
- Ser Tessell Highfrost cast Guiding Bolt (missed)
- Ser Tessell Highfrost cast Shield of Faith on self as bonus action (+2 AC, now AC 20)
- ToooAh attacked archer goblin
- Hit for 10 damage with first unarmed strike
- Note: ToooAh incorrectly used Flurry of Blows multiple times - to be clarified with DM next session
- Eventually killed archer goblin with multiple strikes including Natural 20 (25 damage)
- Odonia shot at goblin shaman with longbow (Natural 1 miss, second shot Natural 20)
- Killed archer with arrow through eye (11 damage) - "spun around on knee, arrow through eye and out other side"
Round 2:
- Goblin with sword attacked Elik'r Stormswallow from behind (Natural 20 critical hit)
- Goblin slashed at Tessell, deflected by shield
- Orc war boss attacked Tessell twice (first blocked, second hit for 11 damage)
- Goblin shaman cast firebolt at ToooAh for 8 fire damage (taking cover behind rock, leaned over to aim)
- Lord Pompaduke the Third completed 2-turn ability: "And away we go"
- Elik'r Stormswallow made death saving throw (failed, marked one failure)
- Ser Tessell Highfrost used Channel Divinity: Preserve Life
- Restored 23 HP to Elik'r Stormswallow (half of 46 max HP, 7 HP wasted)
- Brought Elik'r to 23 HP
- Elik'r revived
- Ser Tessell Highfrost cast Spiritual Weapon as bonus action (missed with 11 to hit)
- ToooAh attacked goblin shaman
- Shaman used reaction ability to swap places with nearby sword/shield goblin
- ToooAh hit swapped goblin instead with fast punches (43 damage total across multiple strikes)
- Killed swapped goblin
- Odonia's turn
- Moved forward, attacked ensnared goblin with Twin Blades of the Serpent (short swords)
- First attack missed (rolled 4)
- Second attack hit (15 total) for 6 damage
- Cast Ensnaring Strike as bonus action (DC 13 Strength save, goblin failed)
- Goblin restrained and grappled by vines
Status at Session End:
- Elvva Beltavar: Unconscious in cart (hangover, not combat injury)
- Elik'r Stormswallow: Conscious at 23/46 HP (just revived by Tessell)
- Ser Tessell Highfrost: Standing, damaged, Shield of Faith active
- ToooAh: Flying, damaged (18/33 HP)
- Odonia: Engaged with ensnared goblin
- Lord Pompaduke the Third: Behind rock with Tessell (teleported via portal), portal ability used
Enemies Remaining:
- Orc war boss
- Goblin shaman (with swap ability)
- At least two goblin warriors
- One goblin ensnared by Odonia
Party Members Downed This Combat:
- Elik'r Stormswallow - Knocked unconscious by goblin critical hit (18 damage), revived by Tessell's Channel Divinity
Loot & Rewards
Horn of the Winter Gale (received by ToooAh from Fizwidget Spindleflash)
- Long carved horn from long-dead ice beast
- Once per long rest: Action to blow horn
- 30ft cone of freezing wind erupts from user
- Creatures in cone: Constitution saving throw DC 15
- Fail: 4d8 cold damage + knocked prone
- Success: Half damage, remain standing
- Area becomes icy terrain until end of turn
Magical Items Active
Magical Pastries from Session 34 (24-hour duration, received from Bramble Porridgepot):
-
Elvva Beltavar - Perfectly Symmetrical Bagel
- Effect: Next d20 roll 10+ becomes Natural 20 (must say "Just don't let it be awful")
- Status: Unused (Elvva unconscious entire session)
-
Elik'r Stormswallow - Shepherd's Pie of Heroics
- Effect: For 24 hours, once per turn when taking damage, reduce by 1d6
- Used once: Negated 5 damage from goblin attack (took 1 instead of 6)
-
Lady Odonia of Galantri - Warm Pretzel
- Effect: For 24 hours, Help action grants +1d4 bonus
- If using Help twice in same round: [effect unclear]
- Status: Unused this session
-
Ser Tessell Highfrost - Glossy Chocolate Éclair
- Effect: At DM-chosen moment in combat, must make Wisdom save
- Fail: Shout "Now would be a great time for a snack!" and bite nearest creature/character
- Success: Spit cream to blind nearest creature/character (Constitution save required)
- Status: Not triggered this session
Memorable Moments
- The Third - Lord Pompaduke the Third introduced himself with theatrical hat flourish: "Why? I'm Lord Pompaduke the Third. Obviously you've heard of my exploits already. Oh, I'm a sensation around this entire kingdom, as you know." New companion/NPC joined party for first time.
- Banjo Man - Party nicknamed Lord Pompaduke the Third: "Banjo Man", "Pompous Banjo Man" (Odonia: "That's why I call him Pompous"), gangster DJ with feather cap turned backwards when rapping as "Lord Pompa-Duke"
- Natural 20 Streak - DM apologised for rolling multiple Natural 20s during combat: "I've never had so many nat 20s in a row like that" - including critical hits on javelin throw and goblin backstab on Elik'r Stormswallow
Character Development
ToooAh - Artistic Triumph
- Defeated Fizwidget Spindleflash at his own game (snowman sculpture competition)
- Created masterpiece "perfect swan" ice sculpture using talons
- Received Horn of the Winter Gale as reward
- Demonstrated artistic ability and determination (Natural 20 performance)
- Successfully rejoined party after being kept in Winter Realm as "punishment"
Lord Pompaduke the Third - New Ally
- Revealed to be same person as minstrel from Session 34
- Theatrical, lordly personality with mischievous edge
- Claims to be famous throughout kingdom
- Demonstrated powerful bardic magic:
- Confidently inserted himself into party's travels
- Playing "rock ballad" / "boss music" during combat
Elik'r Stormswallow - Close Call
- Nearly killed by goblin critical hit (18 damage, brought to 0 HP)
- Celestial warhorse disappeared when knocked unconscious (Life Bond ability)
- Revived by Tessell's Channel Divinity
- Demonstrated effectiveness of Shepherd's Pie pastry (negated 5 damage)
- Used Trampling Charge effectively despite taking heavy damage
Elvva Beltavar - Consequences of Excess
- Remained unconscious throughout entire session due to hangover
- Effects of 26-drink competition with Elik'r Stormswallow from Session 34
- Still has unused Perfectly Symmetrical Bagel effect
- Missed combat encounter entirely
Next Session
Cliffhanger:
- Combat encounter ongoing with goblin warband
- Elik'r Stormswallow just revived at 23/46 HP
- Elvva Beltavar still unconscious in cart (will wake mid-battle?)
- Multiple enemies remaining including orc war boss and goblin shaman
- Odonia just ensnared one goblin
To Investigate:
- Why was this warband tracking the party? (DM stated "they've been tracking your group some time")
- What happened to Crimson Pike mercenaries? (not seen departing Crossroads Inn)
- Giant wolf rumours on notice board - connected to Humanoid Wolf Rider from Session 31?
- Silver Lantern Order recruitment - investigate when reaching Thalas'Miriel?
- What is Lord Pompaduke the Third's true agenda? Why travelling to Thalas'Miriel?
NPCs to Follow Up:
- Lord Pompaduke the Third - Get full backstory, verify claims of fame, determine trustworthiness
- High Priestess Elena - Silver Lantern Order leader at Thalas'Miriel
- Duke Alaric Thorne - Determine allegiance (Eagle, Falcon, or independent?)
Mechanical Clarifications Needed:
- ToooAh's Flurry of Blows usage (used bonus action multiple times incorrectly - to be resolved with DM)
- Magical pastry duration (received Session 34 evening, 24-hour effects - still active?)
Active Magical Effects:
- Elvva Beltavar: Perfectly Symmetrical Bagel (unused, next d20 roll 10+ = Natural 20)
- Elik'r Stormswallow: Shepherd's Pie (1 use consumed, may still be active if 24 hours not elapsed)
- Lady Odonia of Galantri: Warm Pretzel (Help action +1d4, unused)
- Ser Tessell Highfrost: Chocolate Éclair (DM-triggered Wisdom save, not yet activated)
- Ser Tessell Highfrost: Shield of Faith (+2 AC, concentration)
Journey Status:
- Destination: Thalas'Miriel (cathedral town, Sanctuary of Quiet Waters)
- Purpose: En route to Neverwinter for Rally the North mission
- Alternative: Bane Watcher Citadel for Elvva's corruption treatment (still on hold)