Ashen Reckoning — Session 1

Session Summary

The party arrived in the young city of Water's Edge for the famous Water's Edge Invitational, a tournament drawing hundreds of adventurers with a prize of 20,000 gp. After signing waivers, learning about the contest, scrambling to gather entry fees, and stumbling into a string of strange encounters, the party secured enough gold to enter.

Their first day included a divine offering at sea, a failed search for paying work, a tavern encounter with the reigning champion Jaqen Longstrider, a suspiciously successful horse sale, a visit to Thero's Magical Curiosities, and an ill-fated attempt to return three missing goats.

By the next morning, tragedy had struck: the farmers whose goats they had returned were killed in a troll attack, and their farm burned down. After a memorial service, the tournament began. Although the party was initially split into separate teams, they regrouped and learned of a possible shortcut toward the Lion's Mouth Cave, where the Golden Monkey may be hidden.

Metadata

Party Members Introduced

Important NPCs

Locations

Quests and Hooks

Hunt for the Golden Monkey

The main tournament objective is to find the Golden Monkey. Contestants must navigate:

• Mere of Dead Men
• Mountain of Swords
• Surrounding wilderness

The registration clerk hinted that the Lion's Mouth Cave may be a shortcut and could possibly contain the Golden Monkey.

Daedra Meridia's Temple

Varyn discovered a strange sword beneath a bridge. When he touched the pommel, he heard the voice of Daedra Meridia, who demanded that he accept her quest.

She claimed her temple had been overtaken by a necromancer who was experimenting on her fallen priests. Varyn reluctantly accepted the quest to cleanse the temple.

The Missing Goats

The party found and returned three missing goats, but chose not to wake the farmers because it was late. That night, a troll attacked the farm. A lamp was knocked over during the chaos, setting the farm ablaze and killing the farmers and goats.

Loot, Gold, and Items

Session Log

Arrival at Water's Edge

The party arrived in the young city of Water's Edge, home of the Water's Edge Invitational. Hundreds of adventurers had gathered to compete for the tournament's grand prize of 20,000 gp.

The day before the tournament, crowds gathered in the town square for registration announcements. Each participant was required to sign a waiver releasing the organizers from liability for death or injury. They also had to pay a 200 gp entry fee by 7 a.m. the next morning, shortly before the games began.

The organizers announced that this year’s tournament was called the Hunt for the Golden Monkey. Adventurers would need to navigate the Mere of Dead Men, the Mountain of Swords, and the surrounding wilderness in search of the prize.

They also announced that the reigning champion, Jaqen Longstrider, would participate again this year. The crowd cheered at the mention of his name.

The Waivers

Varyn Longscribe, the bard, and Smokalion Grey “Smoker,” the Eldritch Knight, approached and took their waiver forms. They read and signed them. As soon as they did, the ink disappeared and was replaced by a large checkmark, confirming their signatures.

They were then briefly introduced to the other heroes: Vaelor, Kaelen, and Sir Harwin. The others read their waivers but held off on signing, except for Sir Harwin, who could not read. He asked what the waiver said, and Varyn explained that it released the organizers from responsibility for his death or injury.

Smoker’s Offering

Afterward, Smoker asked Varyn to accompany him to the sea so he could give an offering to his god for good fortune in the tournament. Varyn agreed and offered to play a hymn on his lute.

He played so beautifully that Smoker began to shed a tear.

Smoker made his offering to the sea. A large whirlpool formed around it and pulled it beneath the water, confirming its acceptance.

Varyn exclaimed, “See, I told you my song would help.”

Looking for Work

Meanwhile, Kaelen made his way to the job board, hoping to earn enough coin for the entry fee. Unfortunately, there was only one posting: a farmer was looking for three lost goats and offering a 50 gp reward for their return.

Varyn and Smoker also discussed their entry fees and realized they did not have nearly enough gold after their travels. They decided to search for work as well. Along the way, they ran into a group of town children who were in awe of Varyn’s earlier performance. Varyn politely explained that he did not have time for an encore.

They arrived at the job board and found Kaelen already there. They reintroduced themselves and asked if he had found any work. Kaelen explained that the only job paid 50 gp, which would not be enough for all of them.

They decided to find a tavern and see if they could earn coin there. Just then, Vaelor and Sir Harwin arrived and asked to accompany them. The others agreed.

The Trampling Pony

The group found a merchant in the middle of town and asked if he knew of a tavern. He told them there was one across the sea and said to look for a sign with a horse.

They arrived at a building with a horse sign called The Trampling Pony, which they all agreed was an odd name for a tavern.

Inside, they were greeted by an excited horse trader named Terry, who was immediately disappointed when they asked, “Isn’t this a tavern?”

Terry explained that the tavern was next door and that he was a horse trader. Recognizing them as adventurers, he offered them a 15% discount on any horse. After speaking with him briefly about buying and selling horses, the party left for the tavern next door.

Jamal at the Door

There was a massive line outside the tavern and a giant guard at the door. He told the party they could not enter.

Varyn explained that he was a bard and should be permitted inside because he could provide entertainment. The doorman replied, “There are three other bards inside already. What makes you so special?”

Varyn answered, “I’m the greatest bard in the land, Varyn Longscribe.”

The doorman became excited. “Of course, Mr. Longscribe. I’ve heard much about you. My name is Jamal. You’re welcome to come in, but I’m afraid your friends can’t. We’re only permitting tournament contestants today.”

The party explained that they were contestants. Jamal replied, “Why didn’t you just say that from the beginning?”

Before entering, Varyn asked Jamal more about himself. He eventually learned that Jamal planned to buy a warhorse from Terry next door for 1,000 gp, “as soon as he finds me one.”

Seeing an opportunity, Varyn asked, “Are there any horses you see here that would meet your desire?”

Jamal pointed to a very mediocre steed that did not appear large enough for him to ride. “That one right there! I would gladly pay 1,000 gp for such a horse.”

Varyn asked if Jamal would consider buying a horse from him instead, for only 900 gp. Jamal was reluctant at first, but he liked Varyn very much and agreed. The two shook hands, and Varyn promised to get him his horse.

Jaqen Longstrider

Inside, the tavern was overcrowded because everyone was excited to see Jaqen Longstrider, the champion.

A few members of the party tried to get drinks at the bar but could not get the bartender’s attention. Eventually, Kaelen ordered an ale but gave it to Vaelor, who seemed incredibly thirsty.

Another giant walked up to the bar, cleared a path, and asked Vaelor to step aside. Vaelor did, but asked if the giant could order him an ale as well. The giant ordered seven ales and gave three of them to Vaelor, who did not share with the others and instead gulped them all down.

Varyn went to find Jaqen Longstrider. While speaking with him, he learned that Jaqen was there with his team. Jaqen was cocky and arrogant, believing the tournament would offer little challenge to someone like him.

Varyn played into Jaqen’s arrogance, telling him that if he wanted a real challenge, he should buy Varyn and his team’s way into the contest because they would be formidable opponents.

Jaqen scoffed at first, but after giving Varyn a second look, he decided to pay for his entry and tossed him a pouch containing 200 gp.

Smoker noticed an opportunity and challenged Jaqen to an arm-wrestling match for his own entry fee. Jaqen was annoyed, but he could not refuse such a challenge. He ordered everyone to clear the bar, and the two locked hands.

Smoker was nearly bested, but Varyn began cheering him on. With Varyn’s bardic inspiration, Smoker defeated Jaqen, nearly ripping his arm off in the process.

Worried that Jaqen would spend all of their coin, Jaqen’s team rushed him out of the tavern and back to their rooms.

The Horse Deal

After the commotion ended, Varyn called out and asked who owned the horse Jamal wanted.

A young man responded and asked what Varyn’s interest was in the horse. Varyn offered to purchase it for 250 gp. The young man rejected the offer at first, but after thinking it through, he countered: “400 gp!”

Varyn asked Smoker if he would give him the other 200 gp he had won, and Smoker agreed.

Varyn received the horse’s title from the young man and immediately went outside to Jamal to tell him he had acquired the horse.

Jamal was surprised Varyn had gotten it so quickly and said they would need to go to his house to pick up the gold. The party escorted Jamal and the horse back to his house. Jamal went inside for a moment and returned with a large pouch containing 900 gp, which he handed to Varyn.

Afterward, Jamal offered the party some of his sweet purple drink called Kool-Aid. Vaelor accepted and described it as tasting of grapes. Varyn remembered the beverage and told the party that he knew the recipe for several flavors: grape, cherry, and watermelon.

Thero’s Magical Curiosities

After acquiring the gold, the party decided to gather supplies for the tournament. As they searched for a shop and passed a candy store, Smoker felt a strange sensation.

He approached the shop. As he got closer, its true name was revealed: Thero's Magical Curiosities.

Smoker knocked on the door, and the wizard Thero opened it and welcomed him inside. As Smoker entered, the small candy shop instantly transformed into a large magical shop.

The others joined him. After speaking with Thero for a while, they negotiated to buy two healing potions for 50 gp. Thero also threw in a sample of another experimental potion.

Sir Harwin drank the potion and was unsure what it did, but he felt as though it could restore his magical powers. Thero provided another sample for him to test in battle and also gave him a key.

Thero explained that any door in the world the key was placed into would open, and the key would then return to him. He told Kaelen to use it immediately if anything happened to Sir Harwin as a result of drinking the potion.

The Missing Goats

The party departed. While walking, they came upon a goat and realized it was one of the missing goats from the job posting.

They decided to catch it. Smoker cast Silent Image to create the illusion of another goat. The real goat became angry and charged to attack it, but it ran straight through the illusion and into a lamppost, knocking itself unconscious.

Vaelor picked up the goat and put it over his shoulder.

The party then searched for the others. Eventually, they found another goat, but it ran away. Sir Harwin pulled out a rope and lassoed its legs. The goat tripped, and its legs became dislocated. Varyn healed the goat, and Vaelor placed it over his shoulder as well.

The party continued until they came to a bridge. Vaelor decided to look underneath while the others crossed. Beneath the bridge, he spotted the third goat tied to a post.

He also saw something in the water and called for Varyn to investigate.

The Sword Beneath the Bridge

Varyn found a strange sword beneath the bridge. When he touched the pommel, an ominous voice immediately spoke to him.

The voice introduced herself as the Daedra, Meridia. She told Varyn that if he accepted the sword, he would have to take up her quest.

Her temple had been taken over by a necromancer who was performing experiments on her fallen priests. She wanted Varyn to go there and cleanse it of the trespassers.

Varyn reluctantly accepted.

Afterward, the party noticed signs that a troll had been living under the bridge and may have been responsible for the missing goats.

Returning the Goats

The party made their way to the farm. Because it was after dark, they decided to put the goats back in the pasture without waking the farmer.

Varyn and Vaelor then returned to the bridge after realizing Vaelor had dropped his gold pouch.

On the way there, Vaelor was interrupted by a nosy man who asked what he was doing out so late. Vaelor responded, “I could say the same to you. Maybe you should go to bed.”

The man was frightened by the two of them and went back inside his house.

Varyn and Vaelor returned to the rest of the party, and the group made their way into the forest to camp for the night.

Tragedy at the Farm

The next day, the party returned to town and found the townspeople gathered outside the farm in horror.

During the night, the farmers had been attacked by a troll. In the chaos, a lamp had tipped over and set the entire farm ablaze, killing the farmers and all of the goats.

Because of the tragedy, the tournament was postponed for one hour while a memorial service was held for the farmers.

Kaelen noticed a couple crying nearby. When he asked what was wrong, the woman explained that her parents were the farmers who had died. Kaelen offered his condolences and tried to console her, but he was unable to comfort her.

Registration and Team Assignments

After the memorial, the games began.

The party went to the registration line to turn in their forms and entry fees. At this point, Kaelen, Sir Harwin, and Vaelor finally signed their waivers.

The woman at the registration table accepted their entry fees and explained their group assignments. Unexpectedly, each of them had been assigned to a different group. They had assumed they would be able to adventure together.

Each party member introduced themselves to their assigned groups.

Smoker was grouped with a team of young boys. Each of them had surprising powers, but after speaking with them for a while, it became clear that they did not want to group up with him.

Varyn and Sir Harwin were paired with Jaqen and his party. However, when they tried to join them, Jaqen laughed and rode off.

The others had no better luck with their groups.

The Shortcut

The party returned to the registration desk and asked what they should do.

The woman replied, “I don’t care. Team up together. It doesn’t matter.”

She also suggested that she could tell them about a shortcut if they gave her some extra gold.

They agreed.

She told them that if they stayed on the main road, they would eventually come upon a path on the left leading to the Lion's Mouth Cave. She could not say for certain that the Golden Monkey would be there, but there was a strong chance.

Open Threads

• Will the party find the Golden Monkey in the Lion's Mouth Cave?
• What is the true nature of the sword linked to Daedra Meridia?
• Will Varyn fulfill Daedra Meridia’s quest and cleanse her temple?
• What consequences will come from the farmers’ deaths?
• How will Jaqen Longstrider respond after being humiliated by Smoker?
• What are the strange powers of the young boys assigned to Smoker’s original group?
• What exactly did Thero’s experimental potion do to Sir Harwin?

Backlinks / Related Notes

• Ashen Reckoning
• Water's Edge
• Water's Edge Invitational
• Hunt for the Golden Monkey
• Varyn Longscribe
• Smokalion Grey
• Vaelor Ashen-Shield
• Kaelen Voss
• Sir Harwin Jantos
• Jaqen Longstrider
• Thero's Magical Curiosities
• Daedra
• Meridia
• Lion's Mouth Cave