Ashes of Eternity: Session 2 – Shadows in the Wilderness

Session Date: 3/2/2025
Location: Corrupted Forest

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Summary

The party continues their journey as Cassidion retrieves a relic from Ulf. They take shelter for the night in Kazumi’s Temple of the Gods before encountering a corrupted river the next day. Kazumi quickly realizes the danger and warns the party not to touch the water.

To cross safely, Mordekai steps inside Ulf’s Bag of Holding, but Ulf fails to secure it properly, causing it to slip as he shadow steps across. Kazumi reacts swiftly, catching the bag before it falls into the river. Haruki then takes possession of the bag and successfully shadow steps across. Meanwhile, Kazumi flies over but is briefly caught by tentacles from the river, managing to free herself before reaching the other side.

Further along, the party stumbles upon an abandoned camp. Using Speak with Dead on an intact corpse, they learn that crystal-infused beasts—wolves and winged bears—trampled and killed the camp’s inhabitants. The fallen refugees had been on their way to the guild castle. Among the remnants, Kazumi discovers two parchments: one mentioning crystal-covered creatures and another ominously referencing voices in the shadows.

Soon after, they encounter a group of refugees fleeing from corrupted beasts. Kazumi and Haruki insist on helping them, while Mordekai and Ulf argue that doing so will only anger Cassidion and slow the party down. Despite the disagreement, the rest of the group stands firm in aiding the refugees.

Key Events

• Cassidion retrieves relic from Ulf
• Party stays the night in Kazumi’s Temple of the Gods
• Party encounters river
  • Kazumi realizes the river is corrupted; warns the party not to touch the water
  • Mordekai steps inside Ulf’s bag of holding to be carried across river
    • Ulf fails to properly secure bag of holding and causes the bag to fall off his person as he shadow steps across
    • Kazumi swiftly and successfully catches the bag, preventing it from falling into the river
  • Haruki takes the bag and takes it with him as he shadow steps across
  • Kazumi flies over the river and manages to free herself from tentacles that attached around her ankle as she flew
• Party encounters abandoned camp
  • Speak with Dead on intact corpse
    • Beasts with crystals trampled and killed camp
      • wolves, bears with wings
    • Fallen refugees were on the way to the guild castle
  • Kazumi finds parchment:
    • Parchment 1: There are crystal-covered…
    • Parchment 2: I have been hearing voices in the shadows…
• Party encounters refugees
  • Refugees are on the run from corrupted beasts
  • Kazumi and Haruki insist on helping refugees
  • Mordekai and Ulf believe that helping the refugees will only make Cassidion angry and hold the party back
    • The rest of the party disagrees and insists on helping the refugees

NPC Interactions

• Cassidion: See RP Transcript

Loot and Rewards

• Ulf: bones and ash

Character Development

• Nothing outstanding

Mysteries and Clues

• There’s significant corruption within the forest
• Refugees on the run

Plans and Predictions

Party plans to save/aid refugees

Quotes of the Session

n/a

Additional Notes

n/a