Official Campaign Site
Follow our heroes as they become legends... or die trying!
The Original Gangsters
Above L-R: Corvus Mellori (Kenku), Tullia (Albino Bugbear) and Figgbar Firgan (Human), meet Nock Knock (Kenku) and Smoke Whispurr (Tabaxi) for the first time on the Tribor Trail.
Not pictured: Eligor Loom (Aasimar) and Lander Lackman (Human).
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The Journey to Hartsvale D&D 5e campaign officially began in Santa Clarita, CA in July of 2018. Because it was an in-person-only campaign, it was delayed from February 29, 2020 through August 21, 2021 due to the pandemic (18 months). The DM also hosted 6 "pre-campaign" sessions between April and June of 2018, where the players were able to test their builds and not worry about their PCs dying outright. These sessions also provided the impetus for the characters to travel to Phandalin, after news spread that it had been mercilessly attacked by an evil Count (Count Vesic Yadraya). Nearly all of the townsfolk were killed, or went missing, that fateful day - the 1st of Kythorn. The sessions listed below, follow our heroes as they approach the town, and detail the events that occurred in the days following their arrival.
The original players were:
Christopher Kitsch (Corvus Mellori - Kenku Wizard)
Samantha Sansonetti (Tullia - Bugbear Fighter)
Dan Henderson (Figgbar Firgan - Human Fighter)
Brian Flores (Nock Knock - Kenku Ranger)
Isaiah Robles (Smoke Whispurr - Tabaxi Fighter)
Dayne Centers (Eligor Loom - Aasimar Cleric)
Andrew Rouse (Kesh Loom - Human Cleric).
In January of 2019 (Session 5) Randy Mushinski joined the group with his PC (Mushin Warbeard - Dwarf Paladin).
As the campaign progressed, Andrew dropped Kesh Loom and created a new PC (Lander Lackman - Human Bard) which first hit the tabletop in session 10. When the pandemic hit the DM decided that he did not want to switch to online play for Journey to Hartsvale, but would instead wait it out. He began to host other D&D sessions online that the same players were involved in, but ongoing internet issues soured the experience and reaffirmed his conviction to save this particular campaign from the frustrations of internet-only play.
When Dayne and his family (which includes Andrew) moved to Kentucky, Dayne lobbied to be allowed to continue to play Eligor, and Andrew play Lander, via the internet. The DM relented allowing the first partial online-play option for the Journey to Hartsvale campaign. Chris and Sam eventually married and their life and routine changed, forcing them to leave the group amicably in June of 2021. Tullia and Corvus became NPCs and their story arcs were slowly split-off from the heroes.
Our current heroes
Above L-R: Eligor Loom (Aasimar), Lander Lackman (Human), Sigurd Solberg (Human), Julius Cedric (Human), Nock Knock (Kenku) and our newest hero, Calder (Dragonborn).
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In September of 2021, Jack Crutchfield joined the group with his PC (Chem Mayhem - Tiefling Sorcerer), but just over a year later, due to scheduling conflicts, left amicably in November of 2022. Brian Flores (Nock Knock - Kenku Ranger), one of our original players, also departed amicably in December of 2022. At the end of that same month, Chris Andrews kindly filled up one of the empty chairs when he brought his human wizard, Sigurd Solberg to the tabletop. But then in January of 2023, our youngest original player, Isaiah Robles (Smoke Whispurr - Tabaxi Fighter) left amicably to focus on his increasingly busy schedule.
In April of 2023, Jordan Centers joined the campaign when his human paladin, Julius Cedric made his debut. In the same month, Randy Mushinski (Mushin Warbeard - Dwarf Paladin) stepped away to spend more time with his family. The DM took control of this critical PC in Sessions 46-50, not as a DM, but as a player, in the campaign's first DM-less episodes. Since then, the players have taken control of Mushin.
In May of 2023, our eldest player, Dan Henderson (Figgbar Firgan - Human Fighter) was forced to leave the group to deal with long-term health issues.
In September of 2024, Josh Garcia joined the group, bringing his dragonborn fighter (Calder) to the table. And on December 1, 2024, Brian Flores returned his classic kenku ranger/rogue (Nock Knock) to the campaign.
Player turnover, is a fact of life in D&D, but the good news is, this campaign will continue to move forward, resolute (and patient) in uncovering its final conclusion!
The current players are:
Dayne Centers* (Eligor Loom - Aasimar Cleric)
Brian Flores*^ (Nock Knock - Kenku Ranger/Rogue)
Andrew Rouse* (Lander Lackman - Human Bard)
Jordan Centers (Julius Cedric - Human Paladin)
Chris Andrews (Sigurd Solberg - Human Wizard)
Josh Garcia (Calder - Dragonborn Fighter)
* = Player since session 1.
^ = Left campaign, then returned.
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In 2022, the group decided to play-test a unique concept for role-playing when not sitting at the gaming table. You will now find additional entries entitled "Downtime RP" or "Session Linked RP" in the Session Summaries list. Both types feature non-combat, remote game play, in a text and photo format, using the Discord App. Downtime RP is considered canon that occurred in-between the events that occurred during the two table sessions it is linked to by number. Session Linked RP is considered canon that occurred during the table session it is linked to by number, even though it was not resolved at the table. Traditional downtime RP can still occur during a table session, but that will not generate a separate entry in the Session Summaries list.
Eventually, we intend to have more individual session media (of some sort) available for visitors to follow along with. Thanks for stopping by and please check back from time to time to view any updates!
Completed Sessions
Session 1 - Catch A Wyrmling By The Toe
Photo: After the neophyte Heroes are forced by some drow soldiers to disturb the eggs, a couple of frightened purple dragon wyrmlings, screech for their mother.
Session 2 - Defiance
Photo: As the Heroes and the drow frantically try to flee, Nock Knock is nearly killed by the angry dragon's energy breath weapon.
Session 3 - Confluence
Session 4 - A Day In The Life
Photo: With the drow soldiers engaged, a wood woad waves the Heroes past the grick, and out of harm's way. Back on the surface, they meet Eligor and his companions.
Session 4 - A Day In The Life
Session 5 - The Demarcation Complication
Session 4 - A Day In The Life
Photo: Not so fast! The purple dragon makes her extortionate demands known before the Heroes can continue their journey.
Session 5 - The Demarcation Complication
Session 5 - The Demarcation Complication
Session 5 - The Demarcation Complication
Photo: As the Heroes approach Phandalin, Smoke attacks a construct from behind.
They soon learn, an army of goblins and others, are marching on the town.
Session 6 - Breaking The Line
Session 5 - The Demarcation Complication
Session 5 - The Demarcation Complication
Photo: As the battle to cross the siege line continues, Figgbar falls unconscious to an earth elemental. Despite this temporary setback, the group fights their way through.
Session 7 - The Ash Portal
Session 8 - The Werebear Affair
Session 8 - The Werebear Affair
Photo: Finally inside the town, Fayleen (NPC) spots a tiny goblin emerging from the ash pit at the smithy. Eligor and Mushin coax it out to ascertain where the hidden portal leads.
Session 8 - The Werebear Affair
Session 8 - The Werebear Affair
Session 8 - The Werebear Affair
Photo: When Nock Knock and Smoke encounter a frothing bear on the edge of town, the former is attacked. Mushin rushes to the rescue, only to get bitten instead!
Session 9 - Prophecy
Session 8 - The Werebear Affair
Session 10 - La Drôle de Guerre
Photo: The purple dragon swoops toward the ship. Her terrible energy breath primed.
Uhs is dead and sinking into the deep. "Eligor! Wake up!" the blacksmith pleads. "You were crying out in your sleep!"
Session 10 - La Drôle de Guerre
Session 11 - This Shattered Shell Of A Town
Session 10 - La Drôle de Guerre
Photo: A horse is in the road, apparently with no rider. When Eligor tries to rope the stray, a voice calls out, "Take your hands off my horse!" Lander drops invisibility and the two Heroes get off to a testy start.
Session 11 - This Shattered Shell Of A Town
Session 11 - This Shattered Shell Of A Town
Session 11 - This Shattered Shell Of A Town
Photo: A lone goblin rides into Phandalin atop a rather large worg. When Constable Bliffort (NPC) confronts him, Blackfang the Erudite declares, "This shattered shell of a town is now under the protection of the Wuggly Gang."
Listen to an audio clip from this encounter
Session 12 - The Token Of Kryptgarden
Session 11 - This Shattered Shell Of A Town
Session 11 - This Shattered Shell Of A Town
Photo: After helping Merril (NPC) rescue his crush, Halia Thornton (NPC), the Heroes must also save two townsfolk being held nearby. Then half will go find the magic token, while the others will return to town.
COMPLETED SESSIONS
Session 13 - Peeling The Onion
Session 14 - Phandalin est Occupé
Session 14 - Phandalin est Occupé
Photo: The townmaster, Harbin Wester (NPC) is found to have been engaged in scrying and is a spy. This explains why the enemies of Phandalin are always two-steps ahead!
Session 14 - Phandalin est Occupé
Session 14 - Phandalin est Occupé
Session 14 - Phandalin est Occupé
Photo: The Wuggly Gang marches into Phandalin proper and removes all local officials. Eight miles away, Blackfang's bugbear aide-de-camp, Verifeec Pleon, reports, "Phandalin est occupé."
Session 15 - To Kill An Assassin
Session 14 - Phandalin est Occupé
Session 15 - To Kill An Assassin
Photo: Tullia stands over the halfling assassin she just literally squeezed the life out of. Her comrades assure her that the sentence fit the crime, but the albino bugbear can't help but be changed forever.
Session 16 - Blessings
Session 18 - Hawks and Doves
Session 15 - To Kill An Assassin
Photo: After the Heroes defeat the mage at the assassin's field HQ, Mushin finds a powerful magic item in an unassuming wood box. Elsewhere, the goddess, Eldath, bestows blessings on some of the Heroes.
Session 17 - Wild Magic
Session 18 - Hawks and Doves
Session 18 - Hawks and Doves
Photo: Nock Knock hands the Token of Kryptgarden to Fayleen (NPC) - recently chosen by Eldath to steward the forest. Heartbroken that she must now leave her friends, using her new powers, she places a protective ward over Phandalin.
Session 18 - Hawks and Doves
Session 18 - Hawks and Doves
Session 18 - Hawks and Doves
Photo: Merril (NPC) catches up with the Heroes in camp and offers them some serious gold (in the form of pink diamonds) to transfer to Hartsvale, become lords and join the forces supporting Queen Brianna Burdun of Hartsvale.
Session 19 - Duped
Photo: After forcing a captured goblin to provide them with a safe place to hide, the bugger escapes, leaving the Heroes in a Wuggly Gang hideout with precious little time to make a new plan!
Session 20 - The Ettin
Photo: When Tullia won't agree to be the ettin's negotiated prize, the two-headed giant lunges for her. Nearby, Corvus casts a spell to try to help.
Session 21 - Corvus Exspirare
Session 22 - Mushin's Black Box of Death
Description pending.
Session 22 - Mushin's Black Box of Death
Session 22 - Mushin's Black Box of Death
Session 22 - Mushin's Black Box of Death
Description pending.
Session 23 - Child's Play
Session 22 - Mushin's Black Box of Death
Session 24 - Rǣdels and Portals
Photo: As the battle rages around them, Eligor and Smoke climb up on the platform and remove the noose from hostage, Yaha Beljoy's neck. The Heroes then save her kids.
Session 24 - Rǣdels and Portals
Session 22 - Mushin's Black Box of Death
Session 24 - Rǣdels and Portals
Photo: Standing in front of a shimmering portal, Mushin, Smoke and Tyrone (NPC) stand over the slain undead gatekeeper. They can now teleport back to Phandalin.
COMPLETED SESSIONS
Session 25 - Out of Sight, Out of Mind
Photo: After the portal dumps them into an abandoned shack. The Heroes await their chance to move undetected through the occupied town. They must get to the Manor!
Session 26 - The Liberation of Phandalin (Pt. 1)
Photo: Before dawn breaks, Eligor and Mushin hop the wall and surprise a few gnoll guards. The liberation of Phandalin proper has begun!
Session 27 - The Liberation of Phandalin (Pt. 2)
Session 27 - The Liberation of Phandalin (Pt. 2)
Photo: Lander, Tyrone (NPC) and Smoke slash their way down a hallway inside the Constable's Office. This would prove to be a difficult fight.
Session 28 - The Liberation of Phandalin (Pt. 3)
Session 27 - The Liberation of Phandalin (Pt. 2)
Photo: In the basement jail room, Eligor, Nock Knock and Mushin team up to take down Brog - the illegitimate Constable installed by Blackfang.
Session 29 - The Liberation of Phandalin (Pt. 4)
Image and description pending.
Downtime RP - 29>30
Image and description pending.
Session 30 - The Gauntlet
Session 31 - The Morillion
Session 30 - The Gauntlet
Image and description pending.
Downtime RP - 30>31
Session 31 - The Morillion
Session 30 - The Gauntlet
Image and description pending.
Session 31 - The Morillion
Session 31 - The Morillion
Session 32 - A Giant Dispute
Image and description pending.
Session 32 - A Giant Dispute
Session 33 - Queen Olivefeather is missing!
Session 32 - A Giant Dispute
Image and description pending.
Session 33 - Queen Olivefeather is missing!
Session 33 - Queen Olivefeather is missing!
Session 33 - Queen Olivefeather is missing!
Image and description pending.
Session 34 - Cat Fight (Pt. 1)
Session 33 - Queen Olivefeather is missing!
Session 33 - Queen Olivefeather is missing!
Image and description pending.
COMPLETED SESSIONS
Session Linked RP - 34
Image and description pending.
Session 35 - Cat Fight (Pt. 2)
Image and description pending.
Session Linked RP - 35
Session 36 - Anselmus is Turned!
Image and description pending.
Session 36 - Anselmus is Turned!
Session 36 - Anselmus is Turned!
Session 36 - Anselmus is Turned!
Image and description pending.
Session 37 - Killing The Freezer
Session 36 - Anselmus is Turned!
Session 37 - Killing The Freezer
Image and description pending.
Session 38 - Finding Barkbeard
Session 36 - Anselmus is Turned!
Session 37 - Killing The Freezer
Image and description pending.
Session 39 - Klogbarg's Pass
Session 41 - The Recovery Team (Pt. 1)
Session 40 - Giants On Our Side
Image and description pending.
Session 40 - Giants On Our Side
Session 41 - The Recovery Team (Pt. 1)
Session 40 - Giants On Our Side
Image and description pending.
Session 41 - The Recovery Team (Pt. 1)
Session 41 - The Recovery Team (Pt. 1)
Session 41 - The Recovery Team (Pt. 1)
Image and description pending.
Session 42 - The Recovery Team (Pt. 2)
Session 42 - The Recovery Team (Pt. 2)
Session 41 - The Recovery Team (Pt. 1)
Image and description pending.
Session 43 - Mop Up
Session 42 - The Recovery Team (Pt. 2)
Session 44 - Gypsum's Farm
Image and description pending.
Session 44 - Gypsum's Farm
Session 42 - The Recovery Team (Pt. 2)
Session 44 - Gypsum's Farm
Image and description pending.
COMPLETED SESSIONS
Session 45 - The Queen's Committee
Image and description pending.
Session 46 - On The Wings of Griffons
Image and description pending.
Session 47 - Silverymoon
Session 47 - Silverymoon
Image and description pending.
Session 48 - Candlekeep
Session 47 - Silverymoon
Image and description pending.
Session 49 - The Lore of Lurue
Image and description pending.
Session 50 - Cult of Malar
Image and description pending.
Session 51 - The Avatar of Lurue
Session 52 - Hunting the Count (Pt. 1)
Session 52 - Hunting the Count (Pt. 1)
Image and description pending.
Session 52 - Hunting the Count (Pt. 1)
Session 52 - Hunting the Count (Pt. 1)
Session 52 - Hunting the Count (Pt. 1)
Image and description pending.
Session 53 - Hunting the Count (Pt. 2)
Session 52 - Hunting the Count (Pt. 1)
Session 53 - Hunting the Count (Pt. 2)
Image and description pending.
Session 54 - The Arena (Pt.1)
Session 54 - The Arena (Pt.1)
Session 53 - Hunting the Count (Pt. 2)
Image and description pending.
Session 55 - The Arena (Pt.2)
Session 54 - The Arena (Pt.1)
Session 55 - The Arena (Pt.2)
Image and description pending.
Session 56 - The Hallway
Session 54 - The Arena (Pt.1)
Session 55 - The Arena (Pt.2)
Image and description pending.
completed sessions
Session 57 - An Unlikely Ally
Session 58 - The Trouble with Meddling
Session 58 - The Trouble with Meddling
Photo: A female drider (Saragatha) is killed by a dragonblood ooze when she switches sides and tries to assist the Heroes as they retreat from the Count's lair.
Session 58 - The Trouble with Meddling
Session 58 - The Trouble with Meddling
Session 58 - The Trouble with Meddling
Photo: The Heroes reunite with Merril after his force destroys the same lair. The halfling rogue explains that he now knows exactly how to defeat the Count when they find him.
Session 59 - Selûne's Kiss
Session 58 - The Trouble with Meddling
Session 60 - The Clouds of War
Photo: When the search for their missing dwarf comrade (turned werebear) finds the Heroes at the evil Ice Queen's cave, Lander is grabbed by an indignant frost giant.
Session 60 - The Clouds of War
Session 60 - The Clouds of War
Photo: At the Morillion Castle, Sir Leofwine and Cathasach (NPCs) detail the fief's forces. The Heroes must defend their own fief and clear the nearby Backaraht Castle.
Session 61 - The Backaraht Solution - (Pt.1)
Session 61 - The Backaraht Solution - (Pt.1)
Image and description pending.
Session 62 - The Backaraht Solution - (Pt.2)
Session 61 - The Backaraht Solution - (Pt.1)
Image and description pending.
completed sessions
Session 63 - The Backaraht Solution - (Pt.3)
Session 64 - The Destruction of Castle Hartwick
Session 64 - The Destruction of Castle Hartwick
Image and description pending.
Session 64 - The Destruction of Castle Hartwick
Session 64 - The Destruction of Castle Hartwick
Session 64 - The Destruction of Castle Hartwick
Image and description pending.
Session 65 - A Tale of Two Queens
Session 64 - The Destruction of Castle Hartwick
Image and description pending.
Session 66 - A Feast and a Fight
Photo: A frost giant prisoner, who broke free, tries to choke-out his "guard" (Uhs).
Our Heroes rush in to save the day!
Session 67 - The Interrogation
After being exposed as a spy and traitor, Backaraht militia leader, Tunnicliffe (NPC), is apprehended, interrogated and finally imprisoned - sans his left leg!
Better that, than the hangman's noose!
Session 68 - On the Eve of Battle
Session Summary & Photo Pending.
Feed
Where the heck is Hartsvale anyway?
Where the heck is Hartsvale anyway?
Where the heck is Hartsvale anyway?
Far to the north, where the Endless Ice Sea meets the Frozen Moors, the Hartsvale Valley lies in picturesque splendor. The trouble is... getting there. Oh, and the giants!
[regional history and
campaign origins pending]
Phandalin!
Where the heck is Hartsvale anyway?
Where the heck is Hartsvale anyway?
Even though the main campaign has moved on from Phandalin, that does not mean that things have stopped occurring there! Follow the link below to view our Phandalin! series which leans on a d6 dice oracle to decide most everything. This is not so much a story about any group of heroes, but more about the ongoing story of the town itself.
Watch on YouTube
Podcast in production!
Where the heck is Hartsvale anyway?
Podcast in production!
The players discuss their thoughts, strategy and tactics during the latest session. Link will take you to the Dragonradiopodcast website.
[link pending during production]
Game Table Photography
Game Table Photography
Podcast in production!
We've been getting some striking tabletop photos during our D&D sessions. And we accomplish all this without ever opening Photoshop! The image above uses traditional terrain with a couple layers of carefully-crunched clear cellophane for the water and waves, a poster-paper background (sky/clouds) and beach (sand) realized through the use of scrapbooking paper - all purchased from a local crafts store.
The Kithrie Borough
Game Table Photography
The Kithrie Borough
The DM has commenced a new linked campaign that takes place in the same region (Hartsvale) and the same calendar period as the main campaign. The Kithrie Borough campaign uses the EZD6 system instead of D&D 5e and all results will be canon in both campaigns.
PC & NPC crossover will make things very interesting!