4. Searching the Settlements

[kipper]

Renardius

Renardius nods silently, and spurs his mount forward.

[tumblingdice]

Day 11, Lunadain, Thaumont 11th, remains of Hokol homestead, shortly after noon

After several hours of easy travel, the woods give way to a clearing about half a mile wide. Not far off, you can see the blackened remains of a homestead. You imagine that it once looked similar to Sukiskyn, but with the exception of two chimneys and hearths, standing about 30 feet apart in silent vigil, the entire structure has burned to the ground.

As you stand at the edge of the clearing, you catch sight of remains, human and otherwise, scattered amongst the fields. Fields that were soon to be planted with this year's harvest.

"Gentlemen," Gregor says with a sigh. "Welcome to Hokol."

Actions?

[Spanningtree]

Soldath - Mage

Should we make a cursory search? I doubt the butchering heathen left much but you never know....

[badams30]

Athelstan - Fighter

Athelstan will ride through the wreckage and shout out, just in case someone is still alive... "Hello there..."

To the others: "Hopefully this won't be the fate of all the settlements. Let's keep moving..."

I'd say we give the place a cursory search, determine who did this if we can (tribe, assuming it's goblins) and head to the next location.

[greyarea]

Tret, rogue

Tret helps search. He knows that chimneys are often a place of hiding so he searches them and the hearths. He will also help search the remains.

We know there are multiple clans of these hobgoblins. If we can figure out which one did this, we can exact vengeance. His eyes are dark with hatred.

[connivingsumo]

Biz

Bizenghast will help with the searching as well. Perhaps her knowledge of cultures, etc. can add some pieces to the puzzle.

[kipper]

Renardius (Cleric)

Renardius inspects the area, to see if he can determine which direction the raiders seem to have headed afterwards. If he cannot reliably determine that information, he will propose: "If there is nothing here, next we should proceed to Ilyakana. That was where Stephen was last seen."

[badams30]

Athelstan - FIghter

Athelstan nods silent approval to Renardius' plan to move along.

[tumblingdice]

Athelstan, no one answers your greeting, and your voice merely echoes across the clearing. As you ride, blank stares from human and goblin corpses meet your eyes. You find the bodies of six humans, and a dozen goblins.

Biz, after the siege at Sukiskyn, you recognize the markings of the three tribes: the crimson armor of the Redblades, the fur pelts of the Wolfskulls, and the snake tattoos of the Vipers.

The bodies have been rotting for a week, and you struggle to hold on to your breakfast as you survey the scene.

Tret, you and Soldath investigate the chimneys. Other than a few birds, some rodents, and a bat, all of which fly and scurry away, the chimneys are deserted.

Renardius, it's been a week and one rainstorm since the attack, so you can discern no footprints. You do, however, notice trails of debris coming from the east, and then heading due north.

Some of the bodies have been picked at by carrion birds. Nothing of any value remains.

Actions?

[greyarea]

Tret, rogue

Yes, Renardius, let's head to Ilyakana.