The Road to Oakhurst 

The journey to Oakhurst had been a long and winding road, filled with the echoes of Tharalin Ironvoice’s tales. For weeks, your party had traversed the rugged terrain of the Forgotten Realms, moving from the dense forests of the north to the rolling hills that led to the city of Oakhurst. The path was not without its challenges; you encountered treacherous weather, wild beasts, and the occasional band of highwaymen, all of which tested your mettle and forged a bond among you. Tharalin, with his grey hair flowing in the wind and his lute ever at the ready, kept spirits high with songs of old and stories of his past adventures. His laughter was a constant companion, a beacon of hope and camaraderie. You are traveling to Oakhurst at the behest of Kerowyn, the last surviving member of Tharalin’s original party. She has a task that she trust only to the confidence of her oldest living friend. As you near the outskirts of Oakhurst, the air grows warmer and the scent of pine fills your lungs. The city, nestled in a valley surrounded by towering oaks, comes into view. Its stone walls and bustling streets promise both refuge and new opportunities. The journey has been arduous, but the sight of Oakhurst brings a sense of accomplishment and anticipation. What awaits within the city’s walls is unknown, but with Tharalin’s guidance, your party is ready to face whatever challenges lie ahead. 

The Town of Oakhurst 
Session Events 

• Roughly a week before reaching Oakhurst Thralin mood starts to change.  He becomes more sullen.  His jokes more infrequent, and his songs more of loss, and sacrifice. 
• Many years ago Thralin was a member of an adventuring group, but anytime he is questioned about their final mission he fogs over, and seems to forget what the conversation is about. 
• One of Thralin’s companions needs help Sharwyn Hucrele a half-elf wizard who settled the small town of Oakhurst. 
• Sharwyn Hucrele needs the group to discover what happened to the original group of adventures who delved into a nearby ruin the locals of title “The Sunless Citedel”.  If they are no longer alive she asks that their signet rings be returned.  Each member of the group has a ring. 
• Sharwyn Hucrele own children were part of the group.  When question she speaks of their competence, but only that the mission is very important.  A male fighter named Talgen, and his sister a female mage Sharwyn. 
• Thralin as more time is spent in the town keeps rubbing an old bracer that seems to have been with him for some time, and modified to fit his wrist, although it is hard to tell if this is because its due to his girth or if it belonged to someone else.  Thralin has rubbed his wrist raw due to the constant rubbing. 
• Sharwyn Hucrele also when questioned about the specifics rubs the back of her neck, and her memory seems to fog over, but this is very important. 
• Two other adventures delved with the missing siblings.  Karakas a ranger, and Sir Bradford a Paladin known the be carrying the sword Shatterspike gifted to him for his deeds by the Church of Paylor.  Both of these adventures additionally have a connection to the town. 
• Oakhurst itself is a relatively small community.  Does not seem to have much in the way of visitors or serious commerce, and seems to have been created for no purpose, but to support this “very important” task.  All of the current residents, and shops were offered money to come and settle at the location.  The town does not lack for money, however some years ago goblins started offering a single golden apple for exactly 100 gp.  They claim the apple can cure any affliction, and most often is sold off to the highest bidder.  Making the town a great deal of money. 
• Golden Apple  only once did the town consider to keep the golden apple for Sharyn’s husband who had grown old, but died of natural causes before the goblins arrived that year.  It was given to a young woman who is currently working at the Inn.  Overall there seems to be some tension about how the apple is sold with Sharwyn wanting little to do with extra activities around the town.  Planting the seeds never leads to any growth and often the saplings disappear almost as soon as they sprout.  
• Oakhurst
  • Ol’ Boar Inn. Garon, a male human, is the owner and barkeep of the Ol’ Boar Inn. He serves food and drink. 
  • Blacksmith. Repairing and forging arms and armor is the job of the village smithy, Rurik Lutgehr, a male dwarf. 
  • Shrine. Advice, and healing are among the services dispensed at the village’s shrine. It is maintained by Dem “Corkie” Nackle, a female gnome priest of Pelor.  The group managed to get some “free” scrolls curosey of Mayor Vurnor. 
  • Mayor Vurnor Leng is the current leading figure in the town, and was voted in by the small council that administers the city replacing Sharwyn. He does not want to trade disrupted between the town and the goblins. 
• Rumors
  • No one knows for sure what the Sunless Citadel once was, but legends hint that it served as the retreat of an ancient dragon cult. 
  • Allegedly the goblins have offered a different apple at midwinter. This apple is corpse-white and poisonous, even to the touch, but no one has ever seen it. 
  • Thirteen years ago a traveler came asking about the Citadel, but he was turned away. 

Into the Sunless Citadel
After nearly a full day’s journey on foot from the town of Oakhurst, the party finally reached the vast gorge that split the land in two, stretching as far as the eye could see in both directions.

A 100-foot rope drop led to a staircase descending into the depths of the gorge. As they rested for the night, the party was attacked by large, dog-sized rats. However, they were able to dispatch the creatures with little effort.