Some debate about the plan¹ to burn down The Sleeping Giant inn is pursued and the party takes note of Silanne's wise guidance of being cautious, until we have more information. The talk is upsetting to hear from the party, any innocent life lost is not something that I could align myself to. I am relieved the party have seen sense.

The party assembles for breakfast next morning, Tremen receives a person who pulls up with the cart outside the inn, it appears to be loaded with some provisions. Tharbin eyes the keg of ale on the cart and ensures it is secured for the trip, some raised eyebrows from the party are ignored by Tharbin.

After a short time preparing, the party head back down to the trail before heading up the path to the north.

Some time later we spot Silanne who signals to us, Tremen directs the cart to a spot on level ground. Silanne then heads off to scout further up the path as we make camp, waiting for information before proceeding into possible danger.

Fiorana cautiously examines a body on the path

The cave entrance (or, at least, one intepretation of it)

Silanne appears a short time later and signals the party to proceed in formation, and follow him. Fiorana examines a body on the path wearing a red cloak. The wounds don't appear normal, poison is ruled out, magic is suspected by Fiorana. The party than continues down the path in formation. An hour later Silanne pauses and examines the ground, then is seen advancing more cautiously, we assume some tracks have been spotted. The party eventually arrive at a stream that is exiting a cave. Silanne lets loose with a bolt towards the right bank of the river, we hear a roar, the rest of the party move up the river to cross to the other bank, quickly some goblins are engaged & dispatched. Tharbin, Silanne & Fiorana enter the cave, some wolves snarling are heard somewhere inside. Silanne moves ahead towards the wolves, a short moment later some whimpering is heard and the snarling dissipates.

Tharbin proceeds further into the cave and takes a turn to the left - a possible fork up ahead on the path, I proceed up to the right and spot a goblin patrolling a bridge fording the stream.

Bashers secures 7 rooms at a reasonable price for the party - 1GP per night at the Stonehill inn.

Silanne & Tremen head to the townhall and report the possible deaths of the dwarf and his protector at the hands of some goblins, that we adequately hunted down and dispatched.

A potential view of the Sleeping Giant Inn

The dwarf that I meet in the miners exchange, after exchanging greetings we begin a discussion. He seems upset at the news about the dwarf missing possibly killed by the goblins, he mentions they think somebody called spider may be controlling the goblins, after I mention that they seemed to be a little organised. I inquire about the mine and where the dwarfs brothers might be, to which he mentions they will be at the secret mine at echo cave. I relay this to Tremen whom I meet on my way back to the inn.

The party assembles in the inn, Basher & Fiorana decide to check out the Sleeping Giant. As they head out a commotion is heard outside. A cart is seen heading into town escorted by locals, full of goblins. The towns folk are cheering. After a short time they head off and discreetly gain entry into the Sleeping Giant. A little bit of snooping around discloses some rooms and a crowd downstairs in the cellar. Basher returns to the party and informs us that Fiorana is hidden inside the tavern and listening to the crowd. Some time passes and no sign of her return yet

Interior view of the Townmaster's Hall (entrance hall)

A short time later a messenger arrives and asks for the party, we are told we are wanted at the town hall as the town clerk wishes to hire us, to rescue the dwarf & human mentioned by the goblins. Tremen heads off to negotiate our fees, & 20GP per person is agreed. He then heads off to question the goblins about the location of the cave, which they disclose as the north of the funeral fire (the hidden goblin path discovered by Silanne). One of the goblin warns him about the water, and a big goblin with stick, which Tremen believes is a lookout.

Our ranger is absent, but is mostly likely doing a sweep of the village perimeter. The party don't worry as Silanne is experienced and very good at not been spotted

A map of Phandalin

Once the ambush has been dealt with, investigation of the goblin dead leads to the observation that the goblins had their teeth sharpened, some of the party suspect they may be cannibals.

Tremen, Basher and I tend to the dead, collecting the bodies and creamating the bodies. The smoke from the funneral fire will be seen some distance away, hopefully detering any other ambushers.

THe party collect the right ear of each goblin in order to claim the bounty. The barbarian Basher, makes a move to cut off a goblin head to post on a spike as a warning, however it is strongly pointed out that the spread of decease will be a problem. In the mean time Silanne has scouted ahead and found a goblin path that is well used and plenty of signs of use by goblins.

The party reassemble with the cart and move further up the track aiming to hit the turning before night has covered us. Tharbin takes the reigns with Bluebell staying on the cart and myself walking along the side. Silanne scouts ahead with the rest of the party taking positions up in between. Silanne signals that they have discovered some discarded armour and is continuing further up the path, and instructs Thrabin to send Fiorana forward.

Fiorana arrives at the place marked by Silanne and checks items and location out, and indicates its safe to move up, which we do. Fiorana continues to move forawrd and follow up Silanne.

On inspection of the discarded equipment, a emblem is made out, and is recognised as the Lord Alliance emblem.

The night draws in and it is becoming difficult to see ahead, the main party have not heard back from Silanne & Fiorana for a while. We continue with the cart along the path and arrive at a suitable camp site.

Sometime later, they both arrive back at the cart and Silanne discloses that a goblin camp / guard post is up a head and looks like the owner of the armour was killed by the goblins.

The party settles into the evening, watch parties are set up.

Ist watch is Tarqual & Basher.

2nd watch is Silanne & Fiorana.

3rd watch Tharbin & Tremen.

The rest of the night passes uneventful, and we awake to the smell of a cooked breakfast.

Day 4. Once everybody has eaten and gear is packed we set off the following morning. We soon approach the town of Phandalin, which consists of about 40 log buildings, some on flag stones with some in ruins. we see children playing out on a green and the locals seem happy to see us as they smile as we pass.

We arrive at a building with a signpost outside - Barfin surplies, which we pull the cart upto and announce our arrivial. Tremen ventures in to talk to the owner and assures the owner that everything is secure and safe. The woman informs Tremen to pull the cart up around the back where their is a stable. We eventually get paid our 10 gold pieces.

The women owner pops her head back out of the building, with a tabard on her arm and asks Tremen where we got it, as she informs us that it belongs to Silard the proctector of the dwarf. Silanne informs her that it was a few miles back and neither of them will be returning.

While Silanne and Tremen go to the Townmaster's Hall to report, Basher heads of to Stonehill Inn to secure some rooms if available, Tharbin head to the smithy, Fiorana to the sleeping gaint, myself to the miners trail.

The only image where the AI was persuaded to show two oxen. As for the composition of the team, the AI seemed determined to show what the goblins were hoping for (despite the goblins not being mentioned in the image prompt!)

Day 1. The party has assembled in Neverwinter, where we meet a Dwarf wishing to hire us to escort a cart of provisions to Phandain, 2 days travel to the south. there are rumours that the dwarf & his brothers have discovered somethinng.

Day 2. The dwarf and his protector leave in advance of our party the following morning, our ranger keeps a curious eye on them, we set off the a few hours later with the party split with some riding on the cart and others walking. The party is a mix of characters. Silanne an elf ranger, Tharbin a curious dwarf, Tremen the tremulous, Bluebell Maples a druid, Basher & Fiorana Naskill. The day goes uneventfully and we arrive at the camp site chosen by Silanne.

Day 3. The evening watches were uneventful, we wake to a wonderous day, hunters of the party have returned with ample food to fill our bellies. As we begin our journey our ranger takes the lead and heads off to scout ahead. afew hours later some of the party take leave of themselves to head off towards the position of Silanne, we bring the cart to a stop. Up head the advance party have spotted a Goblin ambush and proceed to disperse into the surrounds to seek out the raiding party & dispatch them as fast as they can.

We're also now playing a D&D campaign on Fantasy Grounds Unity. Some notes that have been taken are:

• D&D Session 1 by Sudhit Sood
• D&D Session 2 by Sudhit Sood
• D&D Session 3 by Sudhit Sood
• D&D Session 4 by Sudhit Sood