Episode 3 - "Sanctuary" - 6.5.22
​​As the party runs in the open fields in the direction of the local temple in hopes of saving more citizens from the raiders, they are spotted by a pillaging group of Dragon-Dogs and their masters, a Cultist and two Cultist Fanatic mages. After an extended battle in which the raider defenders are easily slain by the party's forces, the two mages make their attempts at escaping. They are not able to go far, as Rowan, Roel, and Talik surround and kill one while Riggie and Dorugul team up to incapacitate the other. Once the threat of the combat has settled, the group discovers that the captured cultist is an officer of some kind and would be an asset to return to Nighthill at the citadel.

Tensions rose as the group decides on their next actions. Roel feels strongly that they should return the prisoner immediately to Nighthill to accept the reward he believes was promised for this task. However, several party members object, some claiming to not remember being promised a reward. Dorugul, most strongly opposes to this plan, insisting that they continue to the temple with the prisoner in tow as there are innocent lives on the line. Drift offers Roel money from his coin purse to end the argument, but before the exchange could be agreed upon, Dorugul hauls the unconscious poisoner over his shoulder and begins stealthing through the tree line towards the temple, forcing the others to follow behind.

Along the way and with the temple grounds in view across the river, the party discovers four frightened citizens, two young men and women, hiding in the bushes near the edge of the forest. The hidden figures share that the temple was currently under attack with dozens of citizens trapped inside. Dorugul tells the young people the direction of the citadel's tunnel in hopes that they can find safety; however, he also asks if at least one of them would stay and watch over the still incapacitated prisoner until they return from assisting the people trapped inside the temple. One of the young men reluctantly accepts the task.

The adventurers approach the temple from the side of the stone fence and can spend a few minutes secretly watching 15+ raiders attempt to breach the temple from both the front and back doors, while a wild, cheering mob of Dragon-Dogs and Cultists move in a circuit around the building. Talik notices that the symbolism of the Temple of Chauntea is like that of his own goddess, Gaia, the Mother of Earth, and realizes that many of the citizens trapped inside are likely followers of his same faith. After quick decision making, the group plans an ambush attack of the backdoor group as Rowan leads the raiders behind the fence by throwing on the robe of the captured Cultist Fanatic mage and disguising himself as a Cultist officer. Despite injuries, the plan was successful as the entire group surrounding the backdoor are eliminated, one by one, as they move into ambush range.

​Feeling a sense of comradery for combat well-done, Dorugul offers his portion of looting spoils to Roel in an attempt to mend the earlier division over the fate of the cultist prisoner. Furret, Roel, and Riggie take point as lookouts while the remaining four force their way into the back of the temple, only to discover that the raiders are minutes away from busting down the front doors and the 50+ citizens inside in very grave danger. The battering ram shakes the large building with loud booms as dozens of frightened eyes stare at the (hopefully) heavily armored saviors…