The old scout nods matter-of-factly, and searches the body thoroughly, looking particularly for a key to the collar.
If he finds the key, he'll unlock the collar right away.
In a cold dark tone, he speaks to the others. "This is the emblem of the Ironfang Legion. We need to run far, and soon. This is no minor force of hobgoblins. It's an army."
With a tense breath, Titus watches cautiously out the door for more hobgoblins.
Azmythe looks over the ragtag group. "Stay steady, you know. Our plan has not changed. We're going to, like, be alright. Alright?"
Oreld rushes to the window and looks outside and sees the chaos of the invasion. "By the gods, you were right. I have some stuff in my store than can help you." He directs you to various shelves where you find: three vials of antiplague, five bottles of bloodblock, a bottle of fire ward gel, and two flasks of defoliant.
"I also know there are some villagers hiding in my cellar. I am a little banged up. Can any of you heal me? Also, what is the plan? Run into the forest? What's stopping the hobgoblins from chasing us down?!"
”The town has always hidden in the forest when there is a threat. It will provide camouflage and give us a chance to hold off the hobgoblins. It’s our very best hope. Go get the others and lead them into the forest. We will meet up with you as soon as we save as many of the rest as we can. You and the villagers carry the supplies. We will all need them to survive,” Wren says as she inspects the items, putting a vial of alchemist’s fire in her belt.
Azmythe uses his healing hex on Oreld before removing his collar. "You're going to be like alright, man."
He tells the other townsfolk to go with Oreld and the ones hiding.
"Hey Oreld, Aubrin asked us that in addition, to saving as many people as we could, to probably figure out how to take down the bridge so the hobgobins can't chase us across, like you said? You seem to stock lots of alchemical substances. Anything that could help with that? Could give us the head start to escape into the Fangwood."
Oreld thinks for a moment. "Well now that you mention it, I have been developing a "stump remover" in my backroom which could help you. It's made of alchemically refined lamp oil and animal dung. " He leads Razira and Titus to his backroom, while Wren and Azmythe free the civilians in the basement. Oreld disables a trap he had to protect his backroom and shows you his portable alchemist's lab and cabinet with more alchemical materials. He spends a couple of minutes gathering the ingredients for the explosive. "I only have enough for one charge, so make it count." He gives you both the basics how to set the charge, so you can make the Alchemy check at +5 bonus untrained. He then thanks you again for saving his life and flees with the civilians.
Azmythe will use his Healing Hex on any of the townsfolk who want it. He'll continue to speak to them to try and keep them calm and full of hope.
From the stores, he'll take a Potion of Healing and an Alchemist Fire. If no one else wants them, he'll also take both of the tanglefoot bags and thunderstones.
"Thanks, Oreld. This will come in handy - hopefully it blows up the bridge. I leave you in charge of getting the survivors to safety. We're going to see if there's anyone left alive at the shrine and then we will join you."
”Everyone, grab whatever isn’t tied down! Razira and Titus, take the curative potions. And Titus might be able to do something with that potion of invisibility. Az could use the healer’s kit and the antitoxin , I bet.”. Wren grabs a thunderstone and a tanglefoot bag.
Feel better