On the road to Phandalin, our group has encountered some fierce creatures:

Cora spoke to to this creature using Speak to Animals. His name was Bartholomew and he was quite hungry. He was convinced to leave the group in peace and go to the sea for fish instead. Cora also learnt about owlbear pellets, information she shared with the rest of the party (to much disgust). [The party gains a +1 bonus to owlbear interactions due to their better understanding of owlbear habits from this encounter.]

Myra and Anwyse bravely fended off the first wave of stirges that attacked on their watch, while Ranni woke the others. The stirges were defeated, though Alanna suffered some blood loss in the fight. A lucky find of aloe by Myra allowed her to create a poultice to bandage the wound, and have more for any other injuries the party may suffer.

During a heavy rainstorm, the party continued their journey. They met a hunting party of hobgoblins coming off the Triboar Trail. Grubash of the Maw, their leader, asked the party to select their champion to face the hobgoblin champion Irga the Skull Crusher in a sporting challenge. After some hesitation from the others, Cora challenged Irga to a wrestling match.

Halfling vs Hobgoblin soon turned into Bear vs Hobgoblin as she wild shaped.

The match was heartily enjoyed by both sides, and ended in a draw. Irga gave the party a token of her appreciation.

This item came from Irga's hair, and will give a bonus to interactions with goblinfolk, as well as Irga herself… should the party encounter her again. [+2 to reactions with local goblinoid tribes.]

Myra and Anwyse strike up a conversation and the two talk awhile; a friendship seems to blossom, however it is clear both have tragedy in their past…

Once again on the road, the party encounter a rather badly executed ambush by a bunch of goblins, one had even attempted to carry a bush and move with it. A pair of dead horses lay on the road. A short combat later and the goblins lay defeated, with one survivor… who, after some interaction with cora (involving druidcraft and flowercrowns), became an ally and Explains that Gundren and Sildar have been captured and taken by the goblins. He then leads the party safely through a series of traps, to the goblin hideout. This was not the only ally the party gained, a paladin called aspen, had also turned up at battles end, and offered to heal the group, she joined them on thier mission.

This time a well executed ambush lay in wait for the team, which almost ended up in the death of sken, and two members of the party heavily injured, Myra managed to bandage herself and Alanna. In the aftermath two of the goblins, who had survived, joined the party also Truk and Grig were very happy to be living. a short rest later, and everyone was healed. Between the two of them, Cora and Myra gained information about the goblin hideout including about the bugbear leader klarg along with the following map:

The party ventured in, with Anwyse taking the lead who stealthed into the cave, she returned for a light source, where myra cast it on an arrow for her. inside was a large cavernous area, with a large pile of refuse leading to a hole in the roof. Anwyse climbed this, only to have a cauldron and refuse dropped on her, which she just managed to dodge.

A large combat later, and a few dead goblins, Klarg lay dead at the groups feet. Yeemig, the goblin king, helped the part by bringing Sildar to them, but no Gundren, the party found he had been sent elsewhere….a lead to follow. Voxka, a rare female goblin, saw to the injuries of the wounded in the meantime, with Anwyses help. The group questioned Sildar, who mentioned a map Gundren had, which the Black Spider wanted, as well as something he was dealing with just outside Phandalin, which he shadily kept to himself. After that, the part had a safe night in the goblin caves, cleaning and maintaining themselves.

The morning came, and the party questioned Sildar once more, this time about his business, finding out he is part of the lords alliance, his mission was to deal with a group of thugs known as the Redbrands, whom a lord Iarno Albrek, was sent to investigate, but has however gone missing… The party must make a decision on what to do next!

Aspen decided to part ways with the party, her path lay in the other direction. She left cora with a token of appreciation however, relating to them both having druidic heritage.

Ranni and Myra had Redbrand trouble at the Sleeping Giant tavern. This resulted in three Redbrands being killed - unfortunately the fourth escaped to warn his fellows.

Cora briefly left the party to take care of her ailing Auntie.

Two new party members, Askilar and Megvoogrurk have joined the team.

Carp, Cora's cousin, told the group about a tunnel in the woods that he saw the red cloaked guys come out of. THe group followed that tunnel under Tressendar Manor. It opened into a large cavern with a chasm, at the bottom of which was a half eaten body.

A creature started speaking in the heads of some party members, causing panic and confusion. Things were further complicated when Bugbears and Redbrands were attracted by the noise. The party had a harrowing escape and beat a hasty retreat.

They took some time to recover in Auntie's barn. Now they are going to do some investigation around town.

Phandelver main