"We'll go to the castle now," you tell Elara. "The sooner help reaches Thornhaven, the better." She nods approvingly. "Good. Return here once you've delivered the letter." - Toward the Castle You leave the Scholar's Quarter and make your way through the city streets. The castle dominates the skyline, rising like a mountain of stone from the heart of Readingham. Its walls are thick as houses, its four great bastions crowned with the yellow and green banners. As you approach, the crowds thin. This is the administrative heart of the city, where soldiers patrol and officials conduct the business of governance. The main gate to the castle grounds stands open, flanked by guards in polished armor bearing the city's colors. They're more attentive than the city gate guards, eyes tracking your approach. One steps forward, spear held across his chest. "State your business." You hold up the sealed letter, showing Elara's mark on the wax. "Message for the Guard Captain. From Elara the Mage. Urgent." The guard's expression shifts slightly at Elara's name. He gestures to his companion, who nods and steps aside. "Follow me." - The Courtyard Inside the castle walls, the courtyard bustles with activity. Soldiers drill in formation. Blacksmiths work at outdoor forges. Messengers hurry between buildings. The clang of steel and the shouts of sergeants fill the air. Your escort leads you across the courtyard toward a stone building with narrow windows and a heavy oak door. "Wait here." He disappears inside. Minutes pass. You stand in the shadow of the castle's inner wall, watching the organized chaos around you. Then the door opens. A man emerges, tall and broad-shouldered, perhaps fifty years old, with close-cropped gray hair and a scar running from his temple to his jaw. He wears well-maintained chainmail under a tabard bearing Readingham's colors. The Guard Captain. His eyes sweep over your group, taking in your weapons, your travel-stained clothes, the marks on your forearms.

The ranger gives a small nod of approval at your decision. "Smart. Five we can see, unknown how many total. Better to come back prepared." You slowly, carefully, back away from the camp, retracing your steps through the forest. Every sound feels amplified, every snapped twig like a thunderclap. But the bandits remain oblivious, their laughter and conversation fading as you put distance between yourselves and the hidden camp. Once you're clear of the immediate area, you pick up the pace. - The Road North You leave the camp behind, traveling back the road towards Readingham. The journey takes the rest of the day and into the next morning. You camp once along the way, the ranger taking first watch with practiced ease. - Readingham The city walls appear on the horizon, banners snapping in the wind. The guards at the gate wave you through with barely a glance, though one eyes the ranger with mild curiosity. You make your way through the familiar streets, past the market now in full morning swing, toward the - Scholar's Quarter. The tower with the blue door stands tall and silent. You knock. The door swings open immediately. "Enter." - Elara's Tower The mage is at her desk, surrounded by maps and open books. She looks up as you file in, her sharp eyes taking in your travel-worn appearance, the new member of your group, and the urgency in your postures. "Back already." She sets down her quill. "Report." You tell her everything: - Thornhaven is mostly abandoned but a handful of people remain - No corruption, no undead, no shadow creatures - The supplies were stolen by bandits camped in the forest near Widow's Creek - At least five bandits, possibly more, with Thornhaven's goods clearly marked - The survivors stayed behind, waiting for their fishing crews to return Elara listens without interrupting, her expression unreadable. When you finish, she leans back in her chair, steepling her fingers. "Bandits." She sounds almost... disappointed.

You motion for silence and begin moving forward, slow and deliberate. The ranger takes point, his movements barely disturbing the undergrowth. You follow his lead, stepping where he steps, avoiding dry branches and loose stones. The sound of Widow's Creek grows louder, water rushing over rocks somewhere to your left. The smoke becomes clearer as you advance, and soon you can smell it, wood smoke mixed with something else. Cooking meat, maybe. The ranger raises his fist. Stop. You crouch low behind a thick stand of bushes and fallen logs. Through the foliage, you see it. - The Camp A clearing beside the creek, perhaps thirty feet across. Three tents, rough canvas stretched over wooden frames. A campfire burns in the center, tended by a figure in dark clothing. Crates and barrels are stacked near the largest tent, partially covered by tarps. And there, leaning against one of the crates, clearly visible even from this distance... A red ship on a white shield. Thornhaven's mark. Your hearts sink. This is it. The stolen goods. - The Occupants You count five people in the camp: - Two near the fire, one tending it, the other sharpening a blade - One by the tents, rifling through a pack - Two more at the edge of the clearing, talking in low voices, hands gesturing toward the forest They're armed. Swords, daggers, a crossbow leaning against a tree. Not soldiers. Not merchants. Bandits. As you watch, one of them laughs at something, the sound carrying through the trees. Relaxed. Confident. They don't expect trouble. The ranger leans close, his voice barely a whisper. "Five that we can see. Could be more in the tents or out on patrol." He points to the crates. "Those are definitely Thornhaven's supplies. Grain, preserved goods by the look of it." He meets your eyes. "What's the play?" 🎯 What Do You Do? - Attack now while they're unprepared. Five against five (or more). Surprise is on your side. - Continue observing. Wait longer, see if more appear, plan a better approach. - Try to capture one who wanders off. Interrogate them, find out who they're working for and why. - Retreat and return with help. You've found the camp and confirmed the theft. Go back to Readingham with this information. - Approach and talk. Risky, but maybe there's more to this story. Demand answers. - Other → as discussed

The decision is made quickly. "We'll check out the camp. If it's connected to the missing supplies, we need to know now." The gray-bearded man nods approvingly. "Good. Be careful out there." he stops for a second and then adds, "Look for a red ship on a white shield, just like our banner, and you'll know those good are ours." The ranger speaks up. "I know Widow's Creek. Dense forest, easy to get turned around if you don't know the trails. Stay close and follow my lead." You gather your gear, check your weapons, and prepare to leave. The woman by the fire presses a small package into your hands. "Bread and dried fish. Not much, but you'll need your strength." You thank them and step back into the empty streets of Thornhaven. - West Through the Forest You leave Thornhaven behind, heading west across open farmland that quickly gives way to thick forest. The ranger moves with practiced ease, reading signs in the terrain you wouldn't even notice. A broken branch here, disturbed moss there, the way the game trails bend. "Stay alert," he says quietly. "If there's a camp ahead, they might have sentries." The forest grows denser. Sunlight filters through the canopy in scattered beams. The sound of running water grows louder. Widow's Creek. The ranger raises a hand, signaling you to stop. He crouches low, studying the ground, then points ahead through the trees. "Smoke. Faint, but it's there." You can barely see it, a thin wisp rising above the treeline perhaps a quarter-mile ahead. The ranger's voice drops to a whisper. "From here, we go quiet. No talking unless necessary. Watch where you step." He looks back at each of you. "How do you want to approach?" 🎯 What Do You Do? - Scout ahead carefully. Move slowly through the forest, stay hidden, observe the camp before revealing yourselves. - Approach openly but carefully. If it's just bandits or travelers, maybe talking is better than sneaking. - Other → as discussed

You look at the ranger and nod. "We accept. Welcome to the group, @Elan Divine He returns the nod, a hint of satisfaction in his weathered face. "Good. You'll need eyes that know these lands." You turn to the others in the room. "You should come back to Readingham with us. It's not safe here. Whatever's happening, the city has walls, guards, protection." The gray-bearded man shakes his head. "We appreciate the offer, but no. Many of our people are out fishing right now, won't be back for days. And this..." He gestures around. "This is our home. We didn't stay this long just to abandon it at the first sign of trouble." like some did... The woman by the fire speaks up, her voice firm despite the fear in her eyes. "We've survived three weeks. We can survive longer if we're careful. Besides, if we all leave, Thornhaven dies for good." - A Lead The younger of the two men leans forward, lowering his voice. "But... there is something you could check. Might be connected to all this." He glances at the others, who nod for him to continue. "About two weeks ago, one of our scouts saw something. A small camp, hidden in the woods between here and Readingham. Off the main road, deliberately concealed." "Northwest of here, maybe half a day's travel. In the thick forest near Widow's Creek. He only spotted it by accident, saw smoke through the trees." The gray-bearded man adds, "We didn't investigate. Didn't have the people or weapons to risk it. Could be bandits, could be deserters, could be..." He trails off. "Could be whatever's been taking our supplies." He looks at you directly. "If you're willing to check it out, it might give you the answers we all need. Are bandits stealing our goods? Or is it something worse?" 🎯 What Do You Do? - Investigate the hidden camp immediately. Head northwest, find this camp, and get answers. - Return to Readingham first. Report to Elara about Thornhaven. - Ask more questions about the camp. - Other → as discussed