Session 07 – Murder Hobos: Welcome to the Grind

Session 07 – Murder Hobos: Welcome to the Grind

Date: 8/27/2022 DM: Lauren

Summary

In this blood-soaked interlude, the adventurers embraced their inner chaos and set out in search of XP, glory, and mild arson. Phandalin’s peace was once again shattered as the party embarked on what would later be remembered as the *Murder Hobo Massacre*.

Determined to build strength before delving into Wave Echo Cave, the gang decided that the best way to gain experience was to kill anything that moved. They launched an aggressive campaign against remaining Redbrands and a nearby band of orcs. The results were decisive, violent, and deeply undignified — involving sea cucumbers, a mysterious entity named “John,” and copious property damage.

The Sleeping Giant Tavern did not survive the encounter. It burned (again), ensuring the Redbrands’ favorite watering hole would remain nothing more than a smoldering ruin. True to form, the group left behind equal parts heroism and chaos.

Between battles, the adventurers interrogated Glasstaff (a.k.a. Iarno Albrek) about his connection to the Black Spider. Glasstaff revealed that the drow wizard had recruited him to create distractions in Phandalin while pursuing greater ambitions. It was Glasstaff’s idea to use “basic ruffianism” as cover for the Black Spider’s operations. Though he rarely met the Spider in person, he received instructions through coded missives. Glasstaff believes the Black Spider is holed up at Wave Echo Cave.

Characters

• Shade – Still adjusting to life as *Fang* of the Zhentarim, with a growing taste for fire.
• Therezal – Acting Chevall of the Order of the Gauntlet, balancing righteousness and pragmatism.
• Thurmin – Cleric of convenient morality.
• Brudur – Ever the blade in the chaos.
• Cosima – Occasionally disturbed by the group’s collective bloodlust.
• Dick Smashington & Battle Brisket – Agents of entropy.
• Glasstaff – Prisoner, reluctant informant, and source of exposition.

Enemies Defeated

• Remnant Redbrands still lurking around Phandalin.
• A band of Orcs near Wyvern Tor.

Locations

• Phandalin – Scene of wanton destruction and civic frustration.
• Sleeping Giant Tavern – Burned down. Again.
• Wyvern Tor – Orc stronghold assaulted by the party.

Key Discoveries

• Confirmation that the Black Spider orchestrated events in Phandalin from afar.
• Glasstaff’s admission that his orders came via intermediaries and coded messages.
• The Wave Echo Cave is confirmed as the next major objective.

Faction Influence

• Zhentarim – Approve of Shade’s decisiveness.
• Order of the Gauntlet – Mixed feelings about the party’s moral flexibility.
• Harpers – Likely very concerned.

Next Session

Scheduled for Thursday, August 31st at Sarah’s, featuring guest player **Steve Rees**. If postponed, the next gathering will occur in late September — possibly marking the expedition to Wave Echo Cave.