[Session Report 15 - 2/19/25] Welcome to Highwall

The town of Highwall

    After resting their wounds, gathering rumors, and resupplying at Dragonwrath, the party decided to take up an offer from Trilfo the merchant and escort him and his servants along the Bandit Pass through the Outlaw Forest to the town of Highwall.  The trip was short, only taking a few days, and was luckily without incident.  Trilfo and the party had heard of the recent escape of the bandit, Jurvak the Hooded, who had likely taken up residence within the Outlaw Forest to hide from Lord Branif's patrols.

    Once the party arrived at the impressive settlement of Highwall, they were greeted by a few guardsmen at the gatehouse who questioned and searched them.  After a few minutes and a brief conversation, they were allowed entry.  The party took a look around and saw a bustling tavern with a sign above the door with the image of a silver swan.  They quickly went in, another guard greeted them and the party went to speak with the tavern master.

The Silver Swan Tavern & Inn

    He was a jovial man and was glad to see new faces in town so he offered them a free round of ale and a barmaid seated them.  The young woman took their orders and carried on with her business.  The party discussed what they should do next and Sir Peter was particularly interested in returning to the goblin cave he had raided several weeks ago.  Other members of the party were just glad to have a break and were enjoying the tavern accommodations.  Trilfo the Merchant saw the party and decided sit down at the table with them, saying that the Silver Swan Tavern is his favorite drinking establishment within the Great Kingdom.

    After a spending the night in Highwall, the party decided that they better get back to adventuring and agreed to explore the goblin cave again.  They traveled for several more days until they finally reached their destination.  The party entered the lair cautiously.

    Sir Peter pulled out his map and led the party, avoiding the many pitfalls he had fallen prey to before.  Not long into their expedition, the party heard the sound of voices - distinctly nonhuman voices.  Ingott the Dwarf listened carefully and was sure that there were still goblins in this cave.  He was itching for a fight, for the hatred between Dwarves and Goblins is extreme, but for good reason.

Norik of the Jagged Peaks, cut down in his prime

    The party entered a room, Norik taking point, and were surprised by a group of 8 goblins.  The goblins had the initiative and one lunged at Norik, slashing open his gut and spilling his entrails.  The party were shocked by the sudden loss of their mighty warrior friend but were now more motivated than ever to exterminate the goblin plague.  A brutal melee followed and the goblins attempted to flee.  The chased them, not wanting to allow the murder of Norik to go unpunished.

Goblin fleeing

    After chasing down the last goblin and killing it, they traveled through more of the cave and saw a new passage that the goblins must've dug.  They continued down the corridor and eventually entered a room with the goblin chief and his 2 wives.  The goblins were caught unawares and were quickly slaughtered.

"I've yet to meet a goblin that liked the bite of the axe!"

    After the battle, the part gathered Norik's corpse and returned to the town of Dragonwrath.