View source for Session 1b: The Near Escape at Ironjaw's Mirth

== Summary ==

During a stormy evening at Ironjaw's Mirth, an inn bustling with local Rashemi and Mulan commoners, Cedani found herself amidst a crowd discussing everything from the Battle of Respite and the birth of hybrid dragons to debates over the taste of kaf. Among the patrons were Lureene Amblecrown, a Vengeance Paladin; Soveliss Naïlo, a disinterested bard; and Vezim Sepret, a watchful Red Wizard. As the evening progressed, Cedani, a character of extraplanar origin, engaged in conversations with various individuals, revealing personal vendettas and discussing regional politics.

The tranquil atmosphere was shattered when Cedani was alerted to imminent danger by Soveliss. In a frantic escape attempt, she was caught by a squadron of Red Wizards and their guards, leading to her capture.

The following day, Cedani woke up in a slave wagon, shackled alongside Lureene and Soveliss. They were under the watchful eye of Vezim Sepret, a Red Wizard, who justified their capture as punishment for an alleged attack by Rashemi witches. Displaying quick thinking and magical prowess, Cedani managed to teleport herself out of her manacles and freed her companions from their bonds.

Their escape coincided with an attack on the Red Wizards' convoy by a druid and other forest allies. The ensuing battle was intense, with the group utilizing spells, physical combat, and strategic insults to overpower their adversaries, including a Red Wizard and a cleric of Bane.

After their hard-fought victory, Cedani took the opportunity to loot the bodies of her fallen enemies before joining her companions as they approached another set of wagons.

== XP Award ==
* 20 XP for nearly escaping capture at Ironjaw's Mirth
* 40 XP per player for surviving the Battle at the Wagons
** 20 XP as a bonus for everyone showing creativity during the fight
* 20 XP per player for succeeding in various skill checks ([[XP for Skill Checks]])
* '''Total: 100 XP''' ((this replaces the 80 XP granted to players the previous session)

== Things That Happened ==

=== Capture at Ironjaw's Mirth ===

* '''Date:''' 1st of Tarsakh (The Claw of the Storms, April), 1372 DR
* Cedani approached [[Ironjaw's Mirth]] in the early evening, standing outside in a thunderstorm.
* The innkeeper, [[Hulmarra Ironjaw]] (human Rashemi woman), opened the door to welcome Cedani in.
** Noticing her eyes, she inquired if Cedani were a Telthor -- and explained that these are common spirits of the land in Rashemen.
* Cedani was led through the front-door (braggable) to the interior of the tavern.
* She noted a painting of [[Ulek Ironjaw]], the tavern's namesake sporting a jaw made of iron, surrounded by twelve of his daughters.
* The tavern was filled with local commoners (fishers of [[Lake Mulsantir]], tanners, cobblers and dyers -- all human, Rashemi and Mulan ethnicities)
* Chatter among commoners that could be overheard included:
** The Battle of Respite near The Spine of the World six months ago, the purported birth of the first hybrid dragons, and the Triumvirate that commands them: Vurt the Chainbreaker, Therai and Solal.
** Whether ''kaf'' is a better beverage than honey mead. One commoner insists it tastes like black piss.
* Notable other patrons were:
** [[Lureene Amblecrown]] (human Chondathan woman), the Vengeance Paladin of Hoar. She was at the bar, with a giant maul leaning against it.
** [[Soveliss Naïlo]] (sun elf male), the Jaded Bard, sitting on the edge of a platform, strumming his harp half-heartedly.
** [[Vezim Sepret]], the Red Wizard Lieutenant. He sat in a wooden chair by the main entrance, watchful, holding an untouched mug of mead.
* Cedani approached Vezim, engaging him in conversation.
** She revealed (and convinced him) that she was extraplanar of origin. They discussed boots and their disappointment in the ones available in this town.
* Cedani approached Lureene, engaging her in conversation.
** Lureene opened up, explaining that she was on the way to an outpost of her order, on the edge of the Endless Wastes. They are to begin dispensing vengeance in this new land.
** She is a new recruit, sent there to study with the Archons of her order.
** It's 20 leagues east of the Citadel Rashemar.
** Cedani explained of the evils done to her nana -- of a great grevious harm that cleaved at her soul.
** Shaking with anger, Lureene promised to send word to Cedani if she were to spot any warlocks of her nana's rival.
** She left to use an outhouse. (Her plate mail has a culasse that is detachable.)
* Cedani approached Soveliss on the raised platform.
** He knew what an Eladrin was.
** He had heard of Sigil, the City of Doors.
** Cedani borrowed his harp and performed [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cs2autOofRM Smoke on the Water (Bardcore)].
** With Cedani's consent, the Bard used ''Echo of Identity'' to determine her given name, Cedani Amasticia, and a fragment of her ''true name'', cedani'lorei.
** He explained that he is from the [[College of Names]] and the power in knowing a true name.
** He explained that he is seeking the true name of a white abishai -- and for Cedani to write him in Evermeet should she even come across one.
* Cedani required to her room upstairs. It was spacious, with a simple bed, washstand, and sitting bench.
* Three hours into her reverie, she awoke to Soveliss shouting "Cedani, run!" from downstairs, and hear many bodies hitting the floor.
* Running up to her window, she was a squadron of red wizards and their guards. She was narrowly spotted by Vezim Sepret.
* Using ''Fey Step'', she teleported downstairs and dashed into the woods.
* A guard succeeded in subduing her with a ''Wand of Hold Person'' -- and she was promptly drugged into unconciousness. The color of the liquid is not relevant.

=== Escape from the Red Wizard Wagons ===
* '''Date:''' 2nd of Tarsakh (The Claw of the Storms, April), 1372 DR
* Cedani woke up inside of oversized, wooden and iron-banded slave wagons, manacled to the floor.
** Lureene and Soveliss were also manacled. Lureene was asleep and Soveliss was awake, watching.
* A small window too high to see much would occasionally reveal a mounted Red Wizard or guard.
* They could hear more wagons ahead of them.
* They were missing their weapons and most items, although were still in their armor.
* Vezim Sepret patrolled the wagons, stating officially that the occupants of the region were being taken as slaves in recompense for a "cowardly attack on our researchers by the Rashemi witches".
* Cedani used ''Fey Step'' to teleport out of her manacles.
* Cedani picked the locks of the remaining manacles. She woke Lureene cautiously by covering her mouth.
* With ''Eldritch Blast'' and a joint charge-kick, they burst open their wagon doors.
** They could see another wagon group ahead, with a druid mounted on a bear and many other forest animals attacking.
** They could see another wagon group behind, with the world's strongest genasi kicking down their wagon door.

=== Encounter 1: Red Wizard, a cleric of Bane, and Guard ===
* '''URL:''' https://www.dndbeyond.com/encounters/dbae33f3-c6d0-4c90-8b62-b81e71c44e66
* Highlights:
** Poor luck with ''Eldritch Blast''. Most missed.
** Lureene Divine Smithing a head into a 180 twist with an unarmed attack.
** Lureene resisting a ''Command'' to throw her maul aside.
** Soveliss insulting a man to death repeatedly.
** A ''Burning Hands'' nearly killing Soveliss and wounding Cedani through her ''Armor of Agathys''.

=== After The Fight ===
* Soveliss and Lureene walked ahead to join the other wagons as Cedani Looted That Body™.

== Maps ==

[[File:Map_-_Session_1.png]]

* Green arrow: Start of session location
* Red arrow: The escape from the Red Wizard wagons

== NPCs Encountered ==
* [[Hulmarra Ironjaw]], The Tavern Keep
* [[Soveliss Naïlo]], The Jaded Bard
* [[Lureene Amblecrown]], The Vengeance Paladin
* [[Vezim Sepret]], The Lieutenant Red Wizard
* [[Imzel Ulmokina]], The Rescuing Druid

== Loot ==
* An ornate box with three flat obsidian stones, each worth 10g.

== Memes ==
* Bags of Holding as an alternative to a latrine.

== DM Thoughts ==
* Running the same content is a lot smoother the second time. If I were a perfectionist, I would do try run solo.