The Party Encounters Dark Cultists During Lyssaria's Festival
The party arrived in Ashford with the bard Malachi during the Festival to Lyssaria. What started
as exploration and celebration quickly turned dangerous when they encountered a cult sect with
dark creatures. The session ended with mysterious infections, theft, and promises of future
clues as Malachi offered to share information about his home.
Session Number: 1
In-Game Date: During the Festival to Lyssaria, Campaign Year 1
Duration: 4 hours
Primary Location: Ashford Port Town
The party traveled to the large port town of Ashford with the help of the bard Malachi,
whom they met days ago on the trail. Upon arrival, they witnessed a large gathering of
people celebrating during a festival to the goddess Lyssaria.
The group decided to split up to search for clues around the town. Hank went to a smithy
to investigate, while the others explored different areas of the festival.
While exploring, Nibbles was jumped in an alleyway by some weird cult-like creatures.
This led to a battle where the party captured the leader of the small cult sect.
After the battle, the captured cult leader cried out, seemingly no longer under any sort
of spell. The party decided to let him rest up at their wagon while they continued exploring.
While the cult leader recovered, Hank and Jester went off to the stables. Hank stole some
horse bridling, Jester let some horses go, and they both walked off into the sunset,
keeping one eye over their shoulder as they were certain the shopkeep Kevon would be hot on their tail.
While Hank and Jester were off on their escapades, Lina had been lagging behind the party
after being hurt by some dark creature. She collapsed, and Nibbles picked her up and carried
her to a local potion master named Alastor.
The potion master Alastor whipped up a concoction that slowed, then ultimately stopped
the spread of the dark infection affecting Lina.
As the evening started setting in, Malachi spoke about his home and suggested it could be
somewhere the party could start looking for clues in their investigation.
Stable shopkeep who likely noticed Hank and Jester's thievery
Status: alive
Local potion master who created a cure for Lina's dark infection
Status: alive
Leader of the small cult sect that ambushed Nibbles, seemed to be freed from some spell after capture
Status: alive
The bard who guided the party to Ashford and offered clues about his home for future investigation
Witnessed the large Festival to Lyssaria with crowds of celebrating people
Where Hank went to investigate and search for clues
Site of the ambush where Nibbles was attacked by cult creatures
Where Hank stole horse bridling and Jester freed horses, drawing Kevon's attention
Potion master's establishment where Lina received treatment for her dark infection
Enemies: Small cult sect with weird cult-like creatures
Outcome: Victory - captured the cult leader
Notable Moments: The cult leader seemed to break free from some sort of spell after being defeated
Consequences: Led to discovering the cult ambush and various individual adventures
Consequences: Gained potential information source and discovered he was under some spell
Consequences: Drew unwanted attention from shopkeep Kevon
Consequences: Successfully cured the dark infection
Ashford Tribune - Festival Evening Edition
*Strange Events Mar Lyssaria Festival Celebrations*
What began as a joyous celebration of Lyssaria's festival in Ashford took an unexpected turn when a group of traveling adventurers encountered dark forces lurking in the shadows of our fair port town.
The adventurers, who arrived with the well-known bard Malachi, initially split up to explore different areas of the festival. However, their leisurely investigation quickly turned serious when one of their number was ambushed in an alleyway by what witnesses describe as "weird cult-like creatures."
The brave heroes engaged these dark forces in battle, successfully capturing the leader of what appears to have been a small cult sect. Most disturbing was the cult leader's apparent awakening after capture - crying out as if released from some form of magical compulsion.
Meanwhile, other members of the group were engaged in their own adventures around town. Local stablemaster Kevon reported suspicious activity at his establishment, though details remain unclear. More concerning was an incident involving one of the adventurers being afflicted by some form of dark infection after encountering an unknown creature.
Thanks to the quick thinking of her companions and the skilled intervention of local potion master Alastor, the affected adventurer received treatment that successfully halted the spread of what could have been a dangerous magical malady.
As evening fell and the festival continued around them, the mysterious bard Malachi was reportedly offering information about his homeland to the adventurers, suggesting their investigation may continue beyond Ashford's borders.
Local authorities are investigating the cult incident, though they stress that the festival continues safely thanks to the quick actions of these unnamed heroes. Citizens are advised to report any suspicious activity to the town guard.
The identity of these adventurers remains unknown, though their actions during our sacred festival have not gone unnoticed by the grateful people of Ashford.