Sept 5: Caught by Surprise!

Sojan Brule, Indaril, and Emberclaw made their way into the Shadowwood. They made progress during the night, choosing to sleep during the day, taking watches to be alert. They were relieved to find their night and day uneventful. As night fell, Tybris and Aezra snuck up on them, causing some irritation among the three, who didn't like the trick. Tybris and Aezra inform them that the coast is clear to the portal, and if they hurried, they could make it before sunrise.

The party pushes through the night, stopping only for short breaks, and arrived at the portal shortly before dawn. After some confusion, they step onto the dais, and Sojan activates the portal. They are sent to a strange plane, the Astral plane Aezra suspected, and from there emerged on Hestine.

They were shocked at the lifeless state of Hestine, for all but Aezra remember a beautiful, thriving world. Following the road, they see a village in the distance. As they pass through some large rocky outcroppings, the five explorers are ambushed by a group of six goblins.

The party was unsettled at first, as four armed goblins attacked and two unseen bowmen loosed arrows into their midst. The party soon took the upper hand, eliminating their melee opponents. Tybris especially showed his skill with his bow, brutally injuring one and slaying another with a well-placed arrow to the skull. The bowmen fled, and the party decided to pause for a moment before continuing on.

Tybris was nicked by an arrow, and Indaril took a bit more damage (down 35%), but for the most part, they survived their first encounter with the goblin bandits relatively unscathed.