Chapter 3: Shadows of Doubt
Miscellaneous
Rathgul's squad defends against shadows and meets an enigmatic elven huntress. Suspicions start to mount over the following week as Corporals Amon and Lopez are questioned by the lieutenant.
Sergeant Rathgul's squad manages to kill the shadow looming over the other teammember, saving him. Then they noticed more of the things, swarming the clearing. Ordering a defensive formation around the supply drop cart in the center, Rathgul has them dig in as wave after wave of shadowy creatures threaten to overwhelm them. Over the course of the fight, one of the other squadmates go down, Lurch, Ursula, and Lupe grievously injured after coming in contact with one of the things. Mysterious arrows loose into the clearing, downing some of the remaining shadows and they manage to destroy the rest.
When the dust clears, Kalina, the elven huntress, stalks into the clearing and begins plunging a silver-tipped arrow into the hearts of each of the rebel corpses still laying about. The party engages her, asking about the creatures and what she's doing. She warns them to stay out of the forests, especially after dark. She tells them that the only way to be sure the shadows don't take the bodies of their victims is to stab their heart with silver or take off the head.
Back in town and wildly successful again on their mission, the squad enjoys another day off before being assigned to guard duty on the western watchtower on the edge of Raja. Sofia is made corporal of the second team of the squad to recoup some of their losses. To fill in the third squad they receive a transfer: the drunk with a bone to pick with Lupe, <insert name here>, and his two cronies, <insert names here>.
Over the course of the week, the squadmates shop, relax, and go about their duties. They witness a brief altercation between Lieutenant Arcos and a drunk trying to accost her, ending in the swift death of the offending man. Sofia is asked out by Marut, and she agrees -- the two sharing a kiss under the starlight atop the grain mill one night. Ursula and Jazelle carouse, the tabaxi monk coming out on top while Urusula just looses coin. To make up for her losses, the tiefling spends some time casing the town for a suitable noble's house to burgle, does so, and makes off with a sizeable amount of coin as well as two valuable art pieces. Captain Bodvar the Black makes a brief appearance in camp and Lupe receives a warning about the darkness in the woods from Vivian.
Corporals Asenath and Lopez are summoned to Lieutenant Cobb's office where they are questioned about the activities of their respective teams. Not finding much to his satisfaction, whatever he was looking for, Cobb extends a warning about pissing off the Seraphiim Army, referring to an official complaint received over their argument about the vandal boy who was captured the week before.
Amon continues mentoring his pupils and now team members when they are approached by Kingsmen. The two bounty hunters apprehend the Elven young man among his trainees, Maskar, and declare that he dodged conscription and belongs to the king. Arguing with the two men as they drag the boy away, Amon is overcome by rage as no words seem to sway them from their violent course. Feeling himself transform, he lashes out and frees the boy, and is then left to deal with the two Kingsmen alone.
