Session 1 - Group 3 Report

This session saw our heroes complete preparations for their first foray out to the site of the Forgotten Academy. After rising with the dawn and breaking their fast, gear was stowed in backpacks; weapons and armor were donned. The group set out with their guide, Cricktwo Longwhisker at about 9AM. Headding west into the forested hills, they followed their guide along game trails as he pointed out the frequent trail markers made from carefully arranged piles of stones - they would need to follow this trail back to the base camp on their own after their day of adventuring.

At about 10:30AM, they reached a hilltop from which they could finally spot their destination. In the valley below, about a half-mile away, two old, weathered stone towers peeked out from above the treetops. Even from this distance, they could see the towers were in a considerable state of disrepair. Cricktwo wished them luck, then quickly scampered away back toward base camp, leaving the party alone.

Dorc, Krisb, and Tom descended the hill and made their way through the trees toward their goal until they finally saw the great stone wall and massive front doors of the Academy before them. The iron-bound wooden doors were each adorned with an age-blackened bronze ornament, one of a three-headed chimera and the other of a sphinx - and they immediately noticed that one of the doors was slightly ajar. Wisps of thick cobweb sheets fluttered in the breeze where the door was opened.

One of the alert adventurers also spotted something else: it appeared to be an abandoned backpack, similar to their own, under a nearby shrub. Examining it, they discovered its straps had either been roughly cut or chewed apart, and the pack itself had been nearly shredded by something with large claws. There were contents remaining: a pouch full of chalk, a coil of hemp rope, a bundle of candles, a bundle of torch brands, and a tinderbox. No sign of rations or waterskin could be found. Unnervingly, the group determined this backpack was relatively new - likely not more than a few weeks lying out in the weather. Somebody had been here before, and yet they were assured by everyone in base camp that they were the first Adventurers to be brought here.

The session ended as the party considered their next move.