It was pretty dramatic actually. Things were looking pretty grim that first session. Derek was back the next week and he rallied the troops in a big way. John would be making a new character if the Cleric hadn't bludgeoned his way to his side and healed him.
End of the game, they managed to grab both objectives. All four services - Quartermaster, Marshal, Lorekeeper, and Spymaster - increased to 50% or more, and the survivors marched from the Western Bank to Plainsworth. There's still a long ways to go but they're one step closer to Skydagger Keep.