“Devils and Demons! I certainly hope not,” says the boy. 

As you all discuss what to do, an older man dressed in halfplate enters the yard and starts going table by table talking to the soldiers gathered. Eventually, he works his way to your table.

”You lot look like you don’t belong here, you must be the new help. I’m the guard captain here, second only to the lord and his sons. Sgt. White told me he sent out some men out on a rumor he heard and they haven’t came back yet. The rest of these simpletons think either some pixies or elves got them. You all look better equipped to handle a little recon. You bring me back the skin of whatever made lunch of them, and I’ll pay you 10 gold apiece out of my personal funds. I’ll also remember this when it comes time to re-evaluate for you to stay on. So what do you say?”

The boy looks around realizing he’s been roped into your group, “oh, I think I’m supposed to be on shift right now!” and nearly runs out of the yard.

Draconavich looks at the others and then at the new man. "What is your name good sir? I think we would be willing to do this for you but I would like to know whom it is I am speaking with. I am Draconovich Islandir at your service."

Looking around at his group, and then the rest of the militia in the room Leto would agree, they do seem better prepared. "At least they're offering somewhat reasonable funds now..." he thinks to himself. He then reaches down to touch the long tooth embedded in his staff and his eyes roll somewhat back into his head, as if he were listening to something. Opening his eyes he looks at the captain and says "I'm with the fiery one. Let us know to whom we speak, and what you expect may be the trouble, and I'll join to see what I can do.

Gnash watches the conversation with interest as he eats his meal.   

"I am interested in your gold.   I will help you. "

Hansel strokes his chin. "10 gold? Sure, I'm all in. We can take care of this little problem." 

"I'm Captain Jorl, I run the keep while the lord is away and am in charge of training this militia and hiring on you mercenaries. I don't really know what going on with the scouts, they were all veteran woodsmen and should have been more than enough to fight off anything that challenged them. Deep in the woods you can find elves, they usually don't come that close to the edge of the woods though. That is why I do not believe it to be them. I think either some wild beast must have caught them unawares. Meet up with the patrol on duty, and they'll show you where the scouts entered the woods, you'll have to track them from there."

(After spending about an hour around the keep, a few things come to your attention. Most of the guardsmen and militia seem to have poor quality equipment, many have makeshift weapons made to look like real ones. In addition to the poor equipment, you also notice that the age range for the militia seems to be wider than normal, there are men and women that age from about 15 to late 60s. Listening to the general discussions going on there seems to be another group of mercenaries that have been hired on, who are currently patrolling the south side of the hamlet.)

"Well, I guess we should go see what we can learn." Leto will say, using his staff to help himself up

Quote from LuckyTab >>

you also notice that the age range for the militia seems to be wider than normal, there are men and women that age from about 15 to late 60s.

 ((Leto is in his late 60s too~ ))

rising to his feet Draconovich called his bird to him and taking his staff looks at Jorl. "Well sir, we will see what we can find and return them to you safe if possible. If they are as capable as you say however, I fear that may not be possible."

Agatha rests her arms behind her head. "Right, we'll sort out yet missin' scouts I guess." She says, not really caring that he's a captain or not. Ten gold is good pay, especially compared to how much she's owned over her years growing up. "Right, gotta move out. Wotcha backs." She collects the barstool leg (club) she uses as her weapon and wanders over to move out.

(On the road, I guess a Perception check. Just rolling in advance.)

Perception: 12

 Gnash finishes his meal and follows the others out to find the group that is on patrol to find where the scouts entered the woods.

You all make your way through the hamlet, the afternoon has revealed a warm sunny day. Once you reach the edge of the hamlet, the current patrol meets up with you and takes you to the edge of the woods, where the scouts were last seen.

Agatha, you find some heavy footprints and cut branches as it appears the scouts have cut their path into the woods. The trail appears to head straight into the heart of the woods.

"Well Agatha, you seem to be good at tracking and the outdoors.  You find and follow the trail and I will be right behind you. "

Leto is still in the middle of the group, staying somewhat protected. Using his staff to walk ((giving the appearance of weakness)).

Hansel nods. "I will bring up the rear in case anything attacks us from behind."

Drack sends his familiar above him about 40 feet to scout from above as they go. Also taking a more rear spot.

As you head into the underbrush, the guards on patrol wish you luck. After about 30 minutes or so into the woods the trail starts to get harder to pick out. Footprints are not as common on the mossy forest floor and the scouts markings are not as often. Agatha I would like a perception roll from you. Drack, I’d also like a perception roll from your familiar.

Marching order currently looks like Agatha is in the lead, followed by Leto and Drack with Hansel as rearguard. 

Gnash is second in line behind Agatha.

Perception: 11

Perception: 16

For a minute, Agatha stops, thinking she might have lost the trail, but she luckily spots a small piece of torn cloth on a thorn bush and picks it up again. The route taken by the scouts is a circuitous one, as the scouts seem to walk in a more zigzag pattern the further you get into the woods.

A short time later, Drack’s familier descends to tell you of a small clearing ahead that appears to have been recently disturbed. Then it takes wing again.

Within a few minutes, you all walk into a small clearing, about 50ft in radius. You all can clearly see there has been some sort scuffle here, as there is spilt blood on the trampled foliage. Agatha, here the woodsmen footprints end, but you can see see some drag marks going deeper into the woods.

Looking up, you can see there is still several hours of daylight left, which matches up to what you all know considering you have been walking for a little over an hour.