Once there is a sufficiently deep pit (about 10 feet or so?), Rogar spends some time scouting out the surrounding area, looking for any signs of hobgoblin activity or tracks.
"So, tomorrow are we gonna check ou' this hut?" Rogar asks as they all sit around their fire that evening, "Per'aps they have some supplies tha' we can buy, or know of a place tha' might serve as a more permanent shelter fer our little band. 'Ere it's jus too open."
"Good work, Kining, Wulfram said, after hearing her scouting report. "We"ll probably check it out tomorrow."
Wulfram helped build an enclosure for the mother wolf. Once she was securely contained, he used his healing powers to tend to her wounds, and then fed her some meat.
He meditated with Pele, then enchanted some berries that foragers had found earlier.
Afterwards, Wulfram joined the others for the evening meal, then sat around the fire to discuss plans for the next day. "I'd say that sounds like a good idea," he replied to Rogar. "I agree that this isn't the most defensible place for the camp. We have to find something more secure."
"We also have the location on that map to look into. It appears that it will take some time to get there. We would have to leave our people for a day or two." Eustoma smiles at the others. "Thank you for not killing the mother. I will help keep her fed and contained, and help take care of the puppies."
"We can check on tha location shown on tha map later, once we 'ave a more permanent home. Fer now, let's focus on finding a place to live and scavenging wha' we can. Per'aps whoever lives in tha cabin that was found can 'elp us out. Now tha' I think o' it, we should have a watch o' some sort, ta make sure tha' we're no' ambushed at night. Ah can take firs' watch." As he speaks, Rogar practices pulling small clumps of earth from the ground and manipulating them into shapes.
"The hut is closer, so let's look into that first," Wulfram said. He nodded when Eustoma mentioned sparing the mother wolf. He had felt relieved when he decided not to kill her, even though it meant extra work.
At Rogar's mention of posting guards, Wulfram volunteered, "I can take second watch. We can assign guard duty to the other townsfolk too, so the watches don't have to be too long."
The wolf seems uncomfortable being among so many people, and growls at Wulfram as he tends to her, but does not attack and eventually settles down to chew on the meat offered to her.
You take turns keeping watch over the camp while most of your followers huddle in their shelters for warmth. Fortunately, it's another quiet night--there's no sign of the Ironfang Legion yet, though you know it's only a matter of time before they make it over the river.
When morning comes, it seems the cold snap has ended. The temperature has returned to normal, meaning it will be a mild and comfortable day.
"Hmmmm... Tha cold is over. Per'aps today would be a good day ta start moving further in?" he asks the others.
I suppose it would be prudent to move the camp further into the forest," Wulfram said. He hated asking everyone to move again, but they were still very close to Phaendar, and the Ironfang Legion.
"Aye. I figure we can move a few miles each day wi'out disrupting our normal workday too much. We can set up a place ta meet, an' go check out this cabin while they move out."
Aubrin nods. "We'll keep moving northeast, away from Phaendar. Meet us when you've finished exploring for the day."
"Be careful Aubrin. We'll see what we can find at the hut." She waves to the townsfolk as they head out for the day. "Are we of to the hut now?" She looks around for the best way for the group's travel to the hut.
Before they headed out, Wulfram had another look at the unidentified magic items. "I just can't figure out this boot," he declared. "There's something strange about it!"
Eustoma leads the way through the shaded forest, navigating around a few deadfalls and switchbacks as you cross the rough terrain. Eventually, you come upon a thicket of brambles. Partially hidden amid the bushes is a tiny shack--a narrow path promises safety from the thorns.
Ragar stands a little way away from the cabin (about 20 feet), as someone else more diplomatic presumably knocks on the door.
Wulfram made his way up to the front door, and knocked. He listened for a reply.
Wulfram can hear shuffling inside of the hut. A crotchety woman's voice calls out. "Go away! I don't like visitors!"
"I'm Wulfram, from Phaendar. The Ironfang Legion has overrun the town; it's swarming with hobgoblins now! It's probably only a matter of time before they come here. The townsfolk have taken refuge in the forest. Any information you could give us about the woods would be most appreciated. We'll gladly help you out in return."
The door to the hut opens to reveal a wizened old woman. She squints up at Wulfram, displeasure evident on her face.
"I care nothing of you townsfolk, nor of hobgoblins. If you're strong enough to survive, you will. If not, oh well! Not my problem! Now scram, boy!"
Rogar steps up, "Excuse me, ma'am. We merely are concerned fer yer safety, ma'am. Also, we 'ave a lot of gear tha' we migh' be able ta trade ye if'n ye have any supplies or gear tha' we migh' be able ta use ta survive. Also, do ye know of any place, such as a cave, tha' we could shelter in?"
The woman peers at Rogar. "You needn't worry about me, dwarf. I may be getting up there in age, but I can take care of myself, thank you very much. Old Veld can still sling a spell or two when the need arises."
She starts to close the door, but she sighs instead. "Oh, fine. You look so gosh danged pathetic standing out there. Come in, then, and have some tea. If you have goods or coin to trade, I can scribe you some scrolls. And there's chores that need doing, if you want to earn some food."
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"Thank ye very much ma'am. What's yer name? I'm Rogar, this 'ere is Wulfram, an' tha young lass is Eustoma, with 'er wolf Sia." Rogar indicates each of them in turn, not entirely sure where Aramant had gotten off to.
"Thank you, that would be very nice," Wulfram replied, and came inside. As he was drinking tea, he asked, "What sort of chores do you need doing, ma'am? I don't mind a little hard work." He figured doing some work for the old woman (was her name Veld?) might open the door to more information sometime in the future.
"My name is Veld," the woman says. Inside the shack, there's lots of herbs, vegetables, and salted meat, as well a shelf lined with books, scrolls, and writing materials. Veld pours tea into glasses for each of you.
She gives Wulfram an appraising look. "I could always use help chopping wood for the fire, especially with the cold these last few nights."
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"Do ye know of any dangers in tha woods tha' we should look out fer? Or a place fer thirty o' us ta live? Any advice ye could give would be a great 'elp."
Eustoma leaves Sia outside the house. She sits politely, and uses her best company manners while drinking tea.
"Thank you for your hospitality. I'll be happy to help work for you. We need a more permanent place for our camp. It looks like you've lived in these woods for a while ma'am."
"You won't have to look very hard to find dangers!" Veld laughs acerbically. "This place chews up the weak or unwary. There's all sorts of big beasties and tricksy fey. There's a particularly large and ornery boar who lives around here. I call him Gashmaw. He loves to pick fights with humans."
"As for shelter for the lot of you, I think there may be some caves far to the east of here. But I've never had much inclination to go spelunking in the dark and dank. My shack and my brambles suit me just fine, thank you very much. I've been here for decades and I don't plan on moving any time soon."
"I would be happy to chop wood for you, ma'am," Wulfram replied to Veld. He listened thoughtfully to Veld's description of the places and denizens in the forest. "Do you know if there are any creatures in the caves?", he asked.
Veld shrugs. "I'd say that's a good bet. Good shelter doesn't stay empty for long out here. Some sort of beastie's probably made it a den."
She leads you outside where a massive pile of wood is stacked up behind the shack. "Well, get to it, boy! Chop, chop!"
"Ah can also 'elp wit' tha wood. To tha east, ye say? Thank ye, we'll star' headin tha way." Rogar thanks her as he starts to chop wood.
You set to work chopping the wood, Veld overseeing the exercise while offering criticisms and critiques. Eustoma works for an hour while Rogar and Wulfram continue on for another hour. The old woman manages to find a few other tasks for the burly dwarf and shaman to perform, and by the end, you're all a bit worn out. Satisfied, Veld hands over several pounds of food for your band of refugees.
"Thank ye very much, ma'am. It's a great 'elp. Let us know if ye ever need help o' any sort in tha future."
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Eustoma wipes her brow after chopping for an hour, "That was hard work when you are as small as I am. Thank you for the food. If you do need help, please feel free to find us Ms. Veld."
After 2 hours of hard work, Wulfram was ready for lunch. After eating some of the provisions that Veld gave them, he said to his companions, "We should be heading back to meet the others. We could try taking a different route back to cover some extra ground."
"Aye. Thank ye very much, bu' we must be going now. Is there anything ye know of nearby tha' we should be aware of?"
"Nothing I know of, but that doesn't mean there's nothing to be aware of! Try not to die now, dearies!"
You head towards where your followers have moved the camp, taking a different route through the woods. After an hour or so, you come upon a sunny glade. A patch of brambles heavy with large, ripe vines grows here, offering a potential harvest.
"We'll do our best," Wulfram replied with a smile, as they took their leave of Veld.
When they reached the glade, Wulfram approached the vines, looking around for signs of danger.
As Rogar approaches the glade, he likewise keeps a keen eye out for any potential hazards in the inviting glade, "Ah don' like this. Why are there nary any animals eating tha berries? An' what kind o' bush is it? Are they poisonous?"
You don't notice any dangers in the glade, but neither are there birds or animals around. Wulfra doesn't really know much about the vines. Rogar's not sure if the berries are poisonous or not.
Rogar tosses a stone at the berries to see if there's any movement from a predator in the bushes or something.
When the rock hits the bush, one of the blue-green vines suddenly starts slithering off of the bush! From the main thick stalk, a dozen thin, flexible vines branch off, each one covered in stiff leaves and small, jagged thorns. It slowly creeps towards you.
Rogar, already on guard, was prepared for something to jump out of the bushes. When the bush itself starts to attack, he's momentarily taken aback, but quickly retaliates with a sharp jab into the earth, and a row of jagged spikes erupt from the earth, tracing their way towards the plant and slamming into them with great force.
Wulfram cast a spell to bolster his allies, then grasped his spear in both hands. He moved to 15ft in front of the animated vine, ready to stab it if it came any closer.