Searching for Trouble

Discovery, Exploration

Following a calm and uneventful few days of travel, the Bloody Misfits and the adventuring group assigned to travel with them by the Adventurers' Guild arrived at the site of a recent bandit attack. There, they discovered looted and broken wagons scattered across the path, with many of the dead still lying where they fell. The road had been blocked by a fallen tree — deliberately placed. Working together, the group cleared it, revealing the path to a nearby village.

Before proceeding, River and Torgil used magic to gather information. River used Speak with Animals to converse with a vulture. Unfortunately, the bird was too simple-minded and focused only on food, repeatedly referring to River as "talking food." It offered little insight, though it did confirm a recent surge in corpses — "food" created by humans.

Torgil then spoke to a raven, asking:

• Is there a village nearby?
• Did any survivors go there?
• Were the attackers present in the village?

The raven’s answers were sharp and certain: the bandits were occupying the nearby village.

Armed with this information, the Misfits demonstrated their magical capabilities to the other adventurers, convincing them that rushing in would be a mistake. The full group agreed to stop short of the village, leave their cart hidden a mile away, and scout before taking action.

They made camp quietly and spent six hours observing from afar. River, Tiamat, and Torgil formed one scouting group. Using a spyglass looted from the Blooded Anchor, River was able to make detailed observations:

• The village held over fifty combatants pretending to be civilians.
• The guards were highly professional and alert.
• A chef worked in the village square, treated with respect by the others.
• A giant-like figure — likely a hill giant — briefly exited the barn for food.
• The presumed leader was housed in the central building.
• No children or elderly were seen.
• Several prisoners were locked inside one of the buildings, clearly abused and restrained.

The other scouting groups returned with similar findings.

The Misfits reconvened with their companions and agreed: this wouldn’t be a simple fight. A direct approach would be reckless.

Planning would be essential.