Part 1 - The Witchwood

[PhaedrusXY]

"Now there is a problem I have the solution for. Let me get my axe." Kalal says half-jokingly.

[Agita]

"Right. So, to be clear, you want us to help you clear out those bandits. Well, it's not like we have anything better to do. Have you tried asking the army for help, though? They seemed pretty well-equipped and organized, so something like this would be the army's job in times of peace - not that I mind." Despite suggesting to get the Brelish army involved, Harika seems very favorable towards the idea of fighting more hobgoblins.

[Nanshork]

Goldflower chimes in, "Oh don't mind her, she's just a bit of a fussbucket sometimes.  Of course we'd be happy to help!"

[PhaedrusXY]

"I thought she was being relatively agreeable there... She usually is if there is the potential for her to get to stab someone."

[BowenSilverclaw]

"Well, I'm certainly glad to see you seem so eager to come to our assistance.

We sent a dozen guardsmen west on the road to find out where the hobgoblins were lairing, most of them got cut into pieces inside the forest. None of them save one survived the ensueing slaughter. The poor man was in deep shock, but managed to return to us after a harrowing ordeal. He informed us that the hobgoblins seem to use fearful monsters and magic users in addition to their traditional warriors.


As for your question regarding the Brelish military, after this report we decided to sent a messenger to the nearest base with Brelish soldiers. That was some two weeks ago though, and we haven't heard anything since. For some reason our Messages aren't getting through either..." Town Speaker Wiston looks more and more worried as he continues his story.

[PhaedrusXY]

"That does sound ominous. Mind if we talk to that survivor? I'm sure you've already questioned him thoroughly, but maybe we'll think of something you didn't. Who knows?

Mainly I'm curious what kind of "monsters" and magic users they have. The group we encountered did have a cleric with them. If he's already given you detailed info on that, we don't have to bother the poor fellow again, though. You can just fill us in on what he said.

And what do you want from us, exactly? To try and get a message through to the army? That might be the most helpful thing, in my opinion. Of course, I'm also happy to go kick some hobgoblin butts, if that's what you had in mind."

[BowenSilverclaw]

"Even if you could get a message through, I doubt the army could get here in time to stop the hobgoblins from overrunning Drellin's Ferry. Getting a message through would certainly help, but we would be very greatful if you could find a way to find a more permanent and swift solution to this grave danger.

As for the survivor, I could arrange for you to speak with him, but the poor man is still traumatized from his encounter with the goblinoids. I can tell you though that he mentioned firebreathing hounds and manticores as part of the goblinoid forces."

[PhaedrusXY]

"Ah yeah, the group we killed also had a couple of those hounds with them. They didn't have a manticore, though. Thanks for that heads up on that. I'm guessing Goldflower can fill us in with details about those later, as she's a regular walking encyclopedia." He winks at the old giantess.

"And what did you have in mind for a solution? You just want us to go in and try to kill them all? If there are as many as it sounds like, I don't know if we'd be able to take them... at least all at once... "

He looks thoughtful for a moment, then says.

"Hmm... I guess we could start harassing them, and give them something to worry about and delay them from attacking your town, while you try to get a message through to the army. As long as we don't engage the whole group at once, we'd probably be ok.

We could also try to find out if they have a camp, and how many of them there are, so that we'll know if we need the army or not, and how many troops they might need to send if it turns out we do."

[BowenSilverclaw]

The Captain nods at your last suggestion.
"Having an estimate of what we're up against would certainly help a lot with determing any further cause of action. Allthough I don't like it, if there are too many of them we may not be able to defend Drellin's Ferry."

The Town Speaker seems very uncomfortable hearing those last words.

[VennDygrem]

Yamanu speaks up.

"So, sounds like our first course of action is reconnaissance. I think I can help on that front."

The marrulurk grins at that, and stretches out in a confident gesture.

[PhaedrusXY]

"Yeah... that's not exactly my specialty... I guess I could follow along underground, though... Most people don't see you coming if you're underground."

[BowenSilverclaw]

"So you'll help us then?" Norro Wiston asks expectantly.

[PhaedrusXY]

Kalal looks around at his companions, especially Saru who has remained quiet, and says "It sounds like everyone is on board, yes."

[Nanshork]

Goldflower smiles.  "Of course we are."

[bearsarebrown]

Saru, having not left his Hawk form, is still sitting on Goldflower's shoulder. He attempts to to nod at Kalal when prompted.

[Agita]

Teh colonel nods as well, saying, "I don't see why not. It might be fun to fight hobgoblins again."

[BowenSilverclaw]

"That's great! Thank you so very much." Norro Wiston says as he gratefully shakes your hands.

[VennDygrem]

Yamanu shakes the man's hand firmly, and says, "If things are truly as dire as you say, I don't believe there is any other choice we could make. We will surely do our best to put their actions to an end, or die trying."

[PhaedrusXY]

"Well, we'll try to avoid the part about us dying. It's more effective to make the other bastards die." Kalal chuckles at his own joke again, then continues, talking mostly to his traveling companions:

"So I guess we should sit down with these folks, hash out everything they know, and then develop a plan. Want to get started tomorrow, after we do whatever we need to do in town here and relax for a night, or would we be better off hurrying up with that stuff, and traveling tonight under cover of the darkness? And maybe Goldmoon can tell us all just what a manticore is, and what it can do."

To Norro and the Captain, he says:

"And how about we invite the guardsman that escaped from them to this little pow-wow? Maybe something he hears will jog his memory. He's the one that probably knows the most about our enemy at this point. And although he's traumatized as you say, I bet nothing would help him more than knowing that he can contribute to stopping these bastards."

[VennDygrem]

Yamanu responds, "That sounds like a good idea, Kalal, assuming he's willing to talk. A plan of action would, of course, be advantageous as well."