Shagrin pipes up from mid group, "Well if yer not gonna let us in then ya best be fetchin' her. I'm suspecting that the exact thing she's meeting' about is the exact thing we're here to take care of. So go on lad, double quick."

"Yes, Shagrin is correct," Calitynia adds. "We are here to assist Lady Becklin and spoke with her earlier." 

 "Alright, I'll go check on them...", the militia man says, heading inside. About a minute later, he returns and waves you all in.

In a small office, Becklin, Darrett, and the man you presume to be the militia captain are talking. "I understand the seriousness of this, Lady Becklin," the captain says, "but if the village is in danger, I would rather keep the militia together ready to defend than spread out searching through the woods, easily picked off by whatever is out there. ...it seems you have some eager volunteers to go, in any case," he says, gesturing to you. Darrett smiles when he sees you all, but keeps quiet, knowing more important people than him are going to be speaking.

Becklin looks to you all. "If they are willing," she says. "You have come at an opportune time, friends of Ispin. Reports of the cloaked raiders have been increasing in frequency." She unfurls a map of the area about the village, which has push-pins in it marking, you infer, reported sightings. "We suspect they are based somewhere in the woods west of Vogler, given the density of reports coming in from around them. If you are willing, it would be a great help if you could scout it out and report back."

Wilberforce takes out his own maps and makes copies of the indicated locations.

He tries to remember if he has been to these locations before, as a Wanderer, and something about the layout of terrain and settlements in these areas.

"It would be an honor to serve Lady Becklin. " replies Shagrin.

Wilberforce knows that in that direction is a heavily wooded area surrounding a small valley.

Daryan gives Darrett a smile and a nod as he enters the small office, then listening to militia captain and Lady Becklin, studying the map and trying to commit the sightings to memory. "An honor indeed." He says, with a nod to Lady Becklin.

"Are there any other details in these reports? Like, How many usually are involved in the raid? Do they use weapons or magic? Do we have a theory on motive?" asks Shagrin

Pelo shakes himself out of his daydreams of building a plant carrier. “Based on Wilberforce’s and Ori’s descriptions, I imagine these raiders are quite powerful and quite numerous. Based on their reported state, the caravan sounds like it was protected by warriors, but they proved insufficient. No survivors would normally mean that the raiders don’t want their actions to be widely known, but the scenes described by our Kender friends indicate that little was taken and nothing was hidden. These attacks are meant to cause panic and fear.” Turning to Lady Becklin and the militia captain, he adds, “We can go and scout the area you suggest, but I think it likely that you’ll see an attack directly on the festival and reenactment today. I would send word to your guards quickly, warning them of strangers in heavy cloaks infiltrating the crowds. I hope I’m wrong, but it is something we must consider.”

The militia captain nods at Pelo's advice. "I will have the militia discreetly briefed on what to look out for. I don't want to cause a panic."

Becklin answers Shagrin, shaking her head. "No motive as yet. The raiders' footprints are vaguely reptilian in nature, and suggest small groups so far. Victims are found torn apart, as if by claws. Not something regular lizardmen could do."

"Well, I will of course help as well," Calitynia says. "If we have some directions then perhaps we should be on our way?"  She glances at the others. "Or is there anything else we need to know Lady Becklin?" 

Wilberforce estimates how long it would take to get to the area and if they would need any special equipment, general guide stuff before setting out. Note that he can forage enough food for 6 people and after a long nap he will be creating some good berries.

It looks like it will take an hour or two to get to the area indicated. You shouldn't need any special equipment.

Becklin looks to Calitynia and recommends, "Don't get in over your heads. Just find out what's out there, and return. That is all."

Despite Becklin’s presence, Wilberforce is happy to be acting as a guide again. He says to the others 'It's a short trip, I’ll get you there and back before you know it. Even quicker if we get a move on. Anything else or shall we head out?’

 "Yes, ma'am," Calitynia responds to Becklin. "We will focus on gathering information and getting back here with it." She then nods to Wilberforce. "Please, lead us on."  She then pauses to glance around at the others.  "If nobody objects of course."

Shagrin snaps his heels together in acknowledgment to Calitynia's "order" and places himself next to the kender as the follow Wilberforce out. "You stay close to me now you hear." he says to Wilberforce.

Just before the group leaves Shagrin pauses to inquire about storing his original shield until his return.

Wilberforce smiles up at Shagrin and says 'Don't worry lad. It would ruin my reputation as a guide if I let anything happen to you.'

Ori pulls out her Koopak and tightens the straps on her backpack. She would take up a spot in the middle of the group. Far enough from the front that she would not be in melee range if we encountered something head on, but close enough to provide support to the whole party. She spent most of the discussion listening intently to the details being shared by all in the room.

The militia captain is happy to store Shagrin's original shield until he returns.

Shagrin simply smiles back marveling at the level of hubris.