Northlands Campaign

With a nod from Corporal Oakenstump, the squad falls in line.  Fischer hangs back, "I'm going to poke around here for a bit, will let y'all know what I find tonight."  The Corporal looks like she is about to say something, then just nods in agreement and you head for town.  After a short bit she says to you, "I don't think its a good idea for him to stay here alone, but he knows the area probably better than anyone, just hope he doesn't run into trouble."  By late afternoon, you see the buildings coming into view.  Your squad finds the Sergeant near the center of town, and Oakenstump calls over to him, "Sergeant, Sergeant, we found it!  It was right where the map showed!"  The Sergeant stops midstride and turns.  As you and the Corporal approach, the rest of the squad stopped a few feet away, she apologizes, "Sorry, Sergeant, for yelling, but it was right there, we must have been past it dozens of times, but they have it well hidden and you'd never find it if you don't know exactly where to look.  Even Fischer was impressed with the camouflage."  He turns to you, "not that I ever doubted you, but looking more and more like you've brought us the tip of an iceberg.  We need to figure out our next step."

It is a little past midafternoon as you settle into your room.  You no more than drop your gear and a knock at the door tells you that your dinner has arrived.  While the room is not overly large, it is very comfortable, and you sit down to enjoy your meal.  Just as you are finishing, you hear yelling from outside.  While you do not catch all the words, "found it" and "map" do come through.  Glancing out the window, you see several people in watch uniforms and a dwarf in normal attire speaking in the middle of the street.

"I wish it was that simple, Corporal," he says looking at you.  "We don't have the manpower here at this time for an extended operation.  If I remember the map correctly, the location of the camp is at least a day's march into the moor, and we have not had anyone return from even half that far in for several years.  We'll get another runner out tomorrow for orders on how to proceed."  He places a hand on your should, "I understand your concern, and believe me, I share it, if not even more, we just can't spare the manpower for now."

You get the window opened in time for the man you assume to be the leader of the group to say, "tip of the iceberg.  We need to figure our next step."  The dwarf speaks up, "Well, as I told the Corporal I fear that those other names on that list may have not been able to escape the same nefarious plans those two had for me.  What was a scouting mission may well be a rescue mission.  I would request that I be allowed to return with the squad after a quick resupply and further investigate what is happening out there in the moors."  The leader looks to the dwarf and replies, ""I wish it was that simple, Corporal.  We don't have the manpower here at this time for an extended operation.  If I remember the map correctly, the location of the camp is at least a day's march into the moor, and we have not had anyone return from even half that far in for several years.  We'll get another runner out tomorrow for orders on how to proceed."  He places a hand on your should, "I understand your concern, and believe me, I share it, if not even more, we just can't spare the manpower for now."

You take off in the opposite direction from the wagon.  Several hundred yards along you find the body of a man that had apparently been run over by a wagon.  Judging by the lack of flies around the body it happened not all that long ago.

Barnabus, just as you finish speaking with the Sergeant and turn to head off for supplies, you see a halfling running out of the tavern, skidding to a halt looking around out front not 20' away from you.  Cade, as you get to the street, you see the dwarf just finishing speaking with the watch and turning to leave.

As the fire of the funeral pyre dwindles, you head back down to the houses, and find the front door to Lily's house ajar.  Calling out as you push the door open, you get no answer.  A quick look around shows the house deserted.  A quick look around the grounds only turns up Bethann and the children working in a vegetable garden out back.  Rather than arouse any further suspicions you again thank her for their hospitality and continue down the road.  To make up for the lost morning, you both decide to double-time through the afternoon and find yourself in Moorsedge by late afternoon.  A handful of the watch are gathered near the center of town in front of the tavern.  The watchmen seem to be listening in a conversation between a dwarf and halfling.  Kina, you recognize the halfling as Cade from the Shire.

The Sergeant's eyes widen as Cade approaches with his copy the lists and maps.  "Your story is becoming even more ominous, my dear Corporal."  He reaches out to take a copy of each, shaking his head as he examines the new copy of a map he already regrets seeing.  Turning at the sound of approaching hoofbeats, he starts a bit at the sight before him.  Kina and Wilhorn, you recognize the scraps of parchment in his hands, having played the image over in your mind so often the past couple of days.  "Greetings, strangers.  By the look on your faces, it seems that you too know something about these?  It would seem we all need to have a bit of a talk," he motions over to a stack of crates in front of the watch barracks.

Bart offers a small prayer with a bit of sarcasm understanding who this might be. And checks to see if the body has anything of value in its pockets.

Roll for Perception and Investigation