Our campaign began in GrayHaven, where three adventurers — Fen, Liora, and Gor — were brought together by an old acquaintance named Rennick Vale.
Rennick had recently acquired an old surveyor’s journal and a weathered map. Both hinted at a forgotten treasure hidden beneath the ruins of Blackbriar Hill, about a week’s journey from GrayHaven. After some convincing — and the promise of coin — the group agreed to join him.
They left GrayHaven on a cold, rainy fall morning.
Most of the journey was quiet, but there were a few signs that they might not be alone. The group discovered a recently abandoned campsite belonging to three travelers, one of whom appeared to have been injured. The strangers seemed to be traveling in the same direction as the party, which immediately made Rennick uneasy.
During the journey, Liora performed a card reading for Rennick. The reading suggested that the road ahead would be difficult, but that those who survived the challenges could emerge stronger because of them.
The party also encountered a washed-out bridge, which they crossed without much trouble. On their final night before reaching Blackbriar Hill, wolves approached the camp. One was killed before the danger could grow worse.
When the adventurers finally arrived at the ruins, they discovered the body of another treasure hunter who had died only recently. Among the adventurer’s belongings were clues pointing toward a statue in the old courtyard.
The ruins had once belonged to the Watch of Saint Avarren, an ancient order whose purpose had long been forgotten.
After searching the courtyard, the party discovered a hidden staircase beneath the statue and descended into the buried ruins.
Below ground, Fen managed to avoid a fight with a group of unusually intelligent rats by convincing them to leave in search of better food. Unfortunately, the abandoned passages showed signs that something far more dangerous had been living beneath Blackbriar Hill.
The party soon encountered a massive spider-like creature known as a Well Crawler. After a quick battle, the creature was defeated.
Deeper within the ruins, the adventurers finally discovered the hidden treasure chamber.
There they found gold, valuables, and something far more important — an ancient seal ring belonging to Cedric Vale, Marshal of the Northern Host. The name suggested that Cedric may have been an ancestor of Rennick Vale, raising new questions about Rennick’s family and its connection to GrayHaven.
The chamber also contained several ancient weapons once carried by members of the Watch of Saint Avarren. Each adventurer chose one of the weapons.
The moment they did, something unexpected happened.
The weapons seemed to awaken.
They bonded themselves to their new owners, becoming more than simple relics of the past.
With the ruins explored and the treasure recovered, the party began the journey back to GrayHaven. Before they could leave Blackbriar Hill, however, they were confronted by a mysterious figure wearing a red cloak.
The stranger attempted to kill them.
He failed.
After defeating the Red Cloak, the adventurers returned safely to GrayHaven.
They came home with treasure, ancient weapons, a mysterious family heirloom, and far more questions than when they left.
Who was Cedric Vale, Marshal of the Northern Host?
What happened to the Watch of Saint Avarren?
Why did someone in a red cloak want Rennick — and everyone traveling with him — dead?
And perhaps most importantly…
What exactly awakened beneath Blackbriar Hill?
Rennick Vale & Bramble
