Chapter 1, Day 2: Into the Witchwood

Map of Elsir Vale

Map of Drellen's Ferry

You wake in the morning, having stayed at the Old Bridge (it was hard to turn down free room and board) and were served a hearty breakfast by the inn staff. As you are eating a messenger from Norro arrives and delivers a small bag of gold to each of you - 250 gold a piece, half up front as promised. The inn staff provide each of you with a care package of dried, salted meat and bread for the road. At least your first meal won't be stale rations.

Before long you've crossed the river and are preparing to head into the witchwood, when you are confronted with the first decision of the day: follow the Dawn Way, or take the Witch Trail.

(You are at the "I" on the top left of the map. The Dawn way continues West while the Witch Trail cuts south directly into the woods. You know little about the difference - except that the Witch Trail is less travelled, and that the Hobgoblins' efforts have been focussed on harassing travellers along the Dawn Way.)

You follow the Witch Trail, a footpath that leads from the field's eventually north of Drellen's Ferry. When you reach the stream you follow it westwards, as Sorrana had recommended. The trail leads past a small cabin in a deep forest glade. A ramshackle front porch is littered with fishing baskets and skinning frames. The cabin overlooks a dark bayou or lake, with old gray cedar-trees draped in moss rising out of the water. An old skill is tied up on the shore nearby, and a little smoke curls from the fieldstone chimney.

Everyone gains Inspiration

As Zaris approaches, but before he can get closer, a low growl comes from below the porch. In a flash of fur and fangs two large hunting dogs dart from beneath the porch. They stop with ten feet between themselves and Zaris and continue to growl and snap but do not advance closer.