The session began with the players confirming their character details and ensuring everyone was present on the virtual tabletop using Fantasy Grounds. The Game Master (GM) clarified that the party would start with full hit points. The setting was established as the famous Yawning Portal in Waterdeep, a common starting location for adventures, known for the shaft leading down into Undermountain.
The players then introduced their characters:
- Samuel of the Seven Hills, a human evocation wizard seeking to restore his family's name, with a hawk familiar named Hercules.
- Tech, a wood elf monk of the Way of the Shadow, sent to a monastery for being a troublemaker but with a “heart of gold”.
- Good Morning, an elf with a mysterious noise box, known for speaking nonsensically and mimicking voices.
- Taran, a wood elf with experience in sneaking and traveling.
- Vila, a small, bluish-purple kobold who is easily angered and has distinct eye color changes when enraged.
- Hadar Copper Shield, a hill dwarf cleric with a penchant for burning various creatures and enjoying ale and the screams of his enemies.
The quest began when a noble named Baron Alphon approached the party in the Yawning Portal. He presented a broken longsword bearing the mark of the dwarven smith Dergeden. Baron Alphon explained the blade was found on Stone Tooth and offered 20 gold pieces each for information about the dwarven complex, 100 gold pieces per recovered weapon with Dergeden's mark, and payment for detailed maps.
Hadar, being a dwarf, recognized Dergeden as a master smith whose fortress was sacked by orcs centuries ago. Dergeden then established a secret stronghold in the mountains north of a small town and waged a vendetta against orcs before his hidden location was discovered and besieged. Legend held that some of his finest blades remained hidden in the deepest vaults. The party readily accepted the Baron's offer.
Before leaving Waterdeep, the party engaged in some shopping:
- They acquired a cart and a donkey (or mule).
- A ten-foot pole was deemed essential for probing traps.
- They purchased rope, rations, ink, parchment paper, and a compass.
- A healer's kit was bought.
- Taran acquired thieves' tools and a grappling hook.
- They had torches for light.
- The Baron provided an initial 25 gold pieces for provisions.
Their journey from Waterdeep led them to an ambush scene where they encountered four orcs looting a wagon. A surprise round initiated combat. Notable actions included Hercules the hawk using the Help action, Samuel casting fire bolts, Taran using his short bow, Tech engaging with his sickle and landing a critical hit that severed an orc's leg, Good Morning casting Vicious Mockery and Distant Whispers, Hadar casting Bless and Shield of Faith, and later Word of Radiance, and Vila raging and attacking with her greatsword and javelin. The party successfully defeated the orcs and looted the bodies.
Continuing their journey, they reached Blessing Dell and spotted Stone Tooth with smoke rising from it. Hercules was sent to scout ahead. The hawk located a natural rock chimney emitting smoke and the main entrance: double doors on a wide ledge guarded by two seemingly bored orcs, with arrow slits nearby. The top of Stone Tooth appeared to be a sheer rock face without a back entrance.
The party decided to observe the entrance. They noted the inattentive orc guards and a shift change where two orcs came from within the complex to relieve the initial guards. Good Morning used the Message spell to create an annoying buzzing sound to torment one of the guards. In the pre-dawn hours, four more orcs approached along the trail, speaking in Orcish about returning from a raid. Recognizing they likely came from the same place, the party decided to ambush them.
Another surprise round of combat ensued in the forest. Key actions included Taran positioning himself, Good Morning casting Suggestion and inspiring Taran, Hadar raging and attacking, Samuel casting Fire Bolt, Tech casting Flaming Sphere, Vila raging and attacking, and Good Morning using Vicious Mockery. The party successfully defeated this second group of orcs and looted them. They then discussed pulling the bodies into the undergrowth.
The session concluded with the party preparing to approach the Stone Tooth entrance, with Hercules flying ahead to potentially distract the guards. The GM inquired about the players' availability for more frequent sessions, and they agreed to play again the following Sunday.