"So be it." concedes Shagrin as the group reviews their options. He again takes second position in the walking order when they head back to the keep.

Pelo agrees with the others and heads back as well.

DireWolf Wilberforce follows the rest of the party. While in DireWolf form he uses his superior speed (twice that of the slowest party members) to maintain a rolling perimeter around the party and uses his enhanced wolf smell and hearing to check for trouble from any source.

If he reverts back to normal Wilberforce he will rejoin the main party and ask Ori how to best split monitoring duties.

With the agreement to return, Cali heads back towards Vogler with the others.  A bit worried about this army, she tries to push for a brisk pace, finding herself leading the group even if she hadn't intended to.

Ori talks with now-human-again Wilberforce and coordinates how they can help keep a look out as the group travels (Ori's passive perception is 15. If she hears or sees any kind of patrol, or the creatures in the hoods, she will call out to the party.). She holds her Hoopak tightly, equal parts anxious about the army so close, but also exhilarated to be in the middle of a new adventure.

You arrive at the north gates of Vogler. Militia members have been posted at the gates, and appear to have been looking out for you all. "Welcome back, scout party. Your presence is requested at the Brass Crab. We were told you would know how to find it. The knight Becklin is meeting with the mayor and the militia captain, and your report is urgently needed." They stand aside, allowing you to pass.

"Thanks, we'll hurry over there then." The white-haired half-breed says with a polite smile as he passes through the gate and heads on to the Brass Crab. He wasn't about to tell the guards about the army nearby, such talk among the militia could spread panic so the first to know would have to be Lady Becklin and the captain of the militia who would decide how to best inform the people of Vogler.

"Yes, thank you," Calitynia says to the militia member at the gate. She really had nothing more to add and his words did nothing to change the urgency she already felt.  she hurries toward the Brass Crab as well. 

Shagrin gives the guards an approving nod as he passes through the gates hot on Cali's heels.

You make your way through the village streets, which you note has a demeanor quite unlike the festive one that dominated the streets when you left. Few people are out on the streets, stalls are left abandoned, and a some people are even bruised or bandaged. Near the village circle, there is a makeshift field hospital set up, tending to wounded. Something must have happened while you were away!

You arrive at the Brass Crab. Yalme leads you to a back room, outside of which stands Darrett. At a table sit Becklin, Cudgel, the militia captain, and the woman from before from the festival stage that you presume to be the mayor. All of them are pouring over maps and documents. Becklin calls you all over to the table. "A terrible thing has happened while you were away," she explains. "It seems that Cudgel's regiment, which was taking part in the battle reenactment this year, had traitors in their midst. These traitors came to High Hill with real steel against blunted wood sticks."

Cudgel continues grimly. "A lieutenant of mine orchestrated the assault. A few loyal regiment mercenaries and I managed to put a stop to it, but not before blood was spilled. When the lieutenant was taken captive, mortally wounded, he confessed to taking gold in the forest to pay off him and his co-conspirators to do this. He lost consciousness and expired before I could get out of him who had paid him..."

The mayor looks to you all. "We urgently need to know what you found. These matters can't be unrelated."

Wilberforce says ‘Well, Daryan can give you the details. But we did see an army encampment, not sure who they were’. He then unrolls a map and details out the location, structures and layout of the encampment. He also describes any odd sounds he heard or smells he detected.

Wilberforce then turns to Cudgel and says ‘Do you have wounded, is there anyone who still needs help?’. Wilberforce makes a mental note to check out the poor areas of town as innocent bystanders who are hurt can often be overlooked.

"Yes," Cudgel confirms, "there are more wounded than the village's healers can handle, and more dead than its grave diggers can accommodate. I hold blame for not keeping a closer eye on my mercenary company."

The mayor shakes her head. "There will be time to blame ourselves for all our failings. For now, we need to help the wounded and make sure that there are no more killings. This army in the valley, surely they are not interested in a village like ours. If possible, I believe we should declare our neutrality in whatever conflict they have with local powers. That may be the only way to save Vogler. If there are no objections," the militia captain looks like he has objections but keeps quiet, "I will draft a formal declaration of intent to be delivered to this army, to make sure there is no mistake as to our desire for peace."

The white-haired half-breed gives the others a troubled look as they come upon the bruised and bandaged and the makeshift field hospital. As he arrives with the others at the Brass Crab he gives Lady Becklin and the others already gathered there a firm nod. He then nods at Wilberforce's words and starts speaking as the kender unrolls his map and points out the site of the army encampment. "Yes, I fear you might be right. We followed the tracks from the ambush site and soon found the encampment of an army of humans and black-cloaked creatures, possibly lizardfolk." He starts in a grim tone, continuing to meticulously describe what he saw. "Considering how close they are to Vogler we must expect them to march this way eventually. Any defenses must be prepared and scouts should be sent out to watch for the army's approach. I volunteer for scouting unless you have better use for me here."

"Hrmph, Cowards." mutters Shagrin as he hears the details of the subterfuge and subsequent attack. 

Pelo says to the mayor, "This army has kept itself hidden by killing all survivors in it's attacks. It paid to cause casualties at a festival that it hoped wouldn't be tracked to it. I'd guess they don't want surrender; they want fear. They are unlikely to honor your claim to neutrality."

He then follows Wilberforce to help with the wounded.

Passing through Vogler then listening to the report of attacks during the festival, Calitynia is both dismayed and angered. She stays quiet though as the mayor proposes neutrality, she is the rightful authority here. She finds herself agreeing with Pelo's remarks, mixing along even, but she says nothing. 

She finally steps over near to Becklin. "Lady, what would you have us do? If Vogler is not to defend itself, are there assets we could withdraw to provide reinforcement elsewhere?"

Quiet a long moment she then offers what she hopes is a task that won't fall to them.  "I supose if the lady mayor wishes to parley with these forces, you may need someone to carry out that mission as well."

She sounds resigned, thinking it most likely a dangerous task that will not be welcomed by their opponent. But even so, success would mean the awful plan of neutrality being executed. 

Ori hesitates around the back of the group, listening and observing what is going on at this gathering - processing the information. She is disheartened to know that innocent people where hurt. She steals herself and taking a step up towards Cali says "I will also volunteer to accompany Calitynia back to this military force. My... skills may be of some use." She gently strums the strings of the lyre on the end of her hoopak.

"Does Vogler have any outlying settlements that may need to be brought in?" asks Shagrin. 

The mayor explains to Shagrin, "Most citizens live in the village walls, but there are a few houses, mills, and lumber camps further out."

As Becklin, Cudgel, the militia captain and the mayor debate the wisdom of sending Dryan, Calitynia, Ori and possibly Shagrin on a further mission, Pelo and Wilberforce walk out to the village circle, where the doctors and attendants of the village are desperately trying to triage, leaving those who will live without treatment and those who will die even with treatment to focus on those who their medical assistance will make a difference for. Occasionally, a new wounded person hobbles in to the makeshift field hospital, or is carried in. Occasionally, a wounded person is carried away, having passed.

Wilberforce immediately gets down to work. He uses his medical skills and supplies from his pouches to help treat the most seriously wounded, who have a chance to survive, first. He describes to anyone who is listening what he is doing, trying to reassure patients and treat every opportunity as a learning experience to anyone who is interested. He tells patients how to care for their wounds at home and offers advice on where to obtain useful herbs and other medicines. He also tries to pick-up any new techniques that people are using. As he is working Wilberforce asks Pelo a bit about his skills ‘Well you have certainly got the skills of a medic lad, but I sense there is a bit more to you than that.’