With the dim illumination of the cloudy late afternoon, the party are sure they haven't been seen by what ever is producing the dancing lights in the forest. They all crouch to be on the safe side and make their way up to the tree line.
Mornington and Fenris decide to scout ahead as the rest of the party are suffering some exhaustion from a long days travel. Keeping a low profile and moving between the tree trunks for cover they move closer to the lights.
Before long they are close enough to make out four goblins bearing torches, sweeping them out in front of them while studying the floor and moving through the forest. After a few moments they observe them collecting firewood, scouring the forest floor for decent dry wood.
Mornington uses his bardic magic to send a Message back to the others and informs them to move up if they hear a scrap. Fenris moves even closer, throws a stone to try and bring the goblins together in one area. He tries a couple of times but the closest goblin assumes it to be wildlife rustling in the undergrowth and starts shouting to try and scare off the 'wildlife'.
Moving to an alternate strategy, Fenris loads his magical Hand Crossbow, a gift just given to him by Crom. Mornington follows with loading his Light Crossbow. Mornington launches a bolt first, perfectly through the Goblins skull. He slumps to the ground, his torch light dampening as it falls to the ground. Fenris follows up with a shot and just misses another.
Surprised, the goblins start to panic. Fenris and Mornington capitalise on this, Fenris moves up to make sure none get away, they assume they are gathering wood for a nearby camp and want this to be clean and quick. Mornington fires another bolt, taking another goblin down.
By now Crom, Edward and Artax hear shrieks from up ahead and all start running towards the conflict.
A few blood soaked seconds later, the rest of the goblins are dealt with before they make it outside of the forest, which the party now approaches.
For the first time the party lay their eyes on the Village of the Dancing Fish, but it is a travesty compared to their expectations. Burnt and destroyed buildings, the land flooded, lit campfires can be seen in a few of the now roofless buildings. The village has been hit, and hit hard. Mornington looks down in sorrow as he knows this is grave news for the Capstans, and for the wedding they were to host.
The party spot a small woodcutters cabin not far from the treeline. After investigating, it is clear it has been trashed but is otherwise empty of occupants. They get inside and get ready to rest for the night to shake off the exhaustion. Fenris is keen to see what the hell is happening in the village for it to be in that state, and wants to do some recon by the cover of darkness. Mornington convinces him otherwise, telling him if anything goes wrong its over for him, they are much stronger as a unit.
The night surprisingly passes without incident. Gathering their belongings and observing the village from the safety of the cabin, the party get ready to move out. The day is gloomy and rainy, limiting visibility, but not enough to miss a patrol of Goblins with two Worgs making their way around the village perimitter. Waiting until the patrol disappears out of sight, the party takes the path from the woodcutters cabin towards the nearest building in the village.
They approach a two story wattle and daub house with it's door hanging by one hinge, banging in the wind. They dart inside to get out of sight and start looking around. Crom watches the door and keeps an eye on the road, Mornington and Fenris explore the ground floor while Edward and Artax take the first floor. The house has been raided, left in ruin, furniture and belongings strewn across the floor. Mornington finds a hidden nook in one of the walls and finds a lockbox, Crom forces open the box revealing a quill, ink and various papers within. Mornington has a quick read through, there seems to be a journal and a will that includes many belongings including the house. The journal talks about recent events with Hobgoblin skirmishers making their way across the river and being fought by the village militia. However, the last entry was made a week ago. The roof of the house has substantial damage, most of it burnt and collapsed inward. Edward investigates and the fact that the fire did not spread, yet there is intense damage, he senses that this may have been caused by destructive magic. Artax, looking out upon the village through the damaged roof, notices the Goblin patrol have not made a full loop of the village and have instead cut through the centre, closing in on their location soon. The party quickly head for the door to head north west away from the patrol.
They move quickly following the road as they come to a T junction in front of a large house. Artax spots some lesser goblins down the road to the east and then voices are heard from within the house. One deep and booming and the other shrill but gravely, talking about a broth and that it's nothing compared to Grelga's. Then the door to the house bursts open as an Ogre wonders out on to the street.
Combat erupts as the party engage the Ogre. The house also contains two Goblins and two Hobgoblins, goblins rush for the windows armed with shortbows along with one hob, the other hobgoblin charges out the door to join the ogre. Mornington continues his streak of accuracy and manages to kill another goblin, Fenris and Crom rain vicious blows on the ogre and Edward and Artax assist with more ranged attacks. The ogre is Commanded by Edward's magic to sitdown, Mornington uses Tasha's Hideous Laughter on the melee hobgoblin, rendering him useless spasming on the floor.
A few moments later and Crom delivers the killing blow to the Ogre and the others are slain in quick succession. One hobgoblin remains and the party try to find him in the house but has seemingly disappeared, Artax rounds the corner of the building to find the hobgoblin climbing out the window. He falls prone after slipping from the window as Artax has his Glaive to his throat
The hobgoblin holds his hands up "WAIT!"
The howl of a worg is then heard in the distance...
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