Goblin raids along the Triboar Trail near the southwestern edge of Neverwinter Wood have been reduced to almost zero after months in which almost every caravan was attacked. Caravanners and business owners are elated but wary, because a few living goblins that were taken and captured were terrified. They told tales of slaughter at Cragmaw Castle, particularly the brutal murder of their leader, King Grol, who they claim had his genitals ripped off and eaten while he was still alive.
The new leader of the captured castle, Targor Bloodshield, has executed any who owed allegiance to King Grol and the Cragmaw clan, but is recruiting all those who were not. Targor has also sworn vengeance on whoever killed his respected Hobgoblin lieutenant, Lurrok the Wrecker.