1: Dovedale

"I agree wholeheartedly with you, Odilo," Malard says. "In general, boredom really is the best policy. Even if you have a blade, they remain sharper longer when they stay in their sheaths."

"My father was fond of saying that if it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, then it must be a duck. The goblin chieftain's actions speak more loudly than his words. He holds the river nymph hostage and seeks to capture and devour (presumably) intelligent creatures. These are not the motives of one who would be swayed by reason. We may have to resort to force, as much as I hate to think it."

Another half of a mile up the path, and the party finds themselves walking towards a notable tree along the bank. A large weeping willow on the bank of the river spreads its branches over the dry riverbed. The tree is visibly drooping from lack of water. Scars and cuts mark the trunk and branches of the tree where the goblins have chewed on the bark. The goblins have also decorated the tree trunk with all sorts of horrible graffiti and carvings. A rope swing hangs listlessly from one of the branches.

Salvel's words about the goblin doorway appear to have been correct. On the eastern wall of the dale, about 20' up, you can see the opening to a cave. The trail leading up to the cave shows signs of heavy use. Grabbo, too, confirms that this is the entrance to their lair.

Odilo nods to the other two, satisfied that they have the task in hand. He breaks off from the duo then; and resumes his place at the rear of the entourage.

"A fascinating little landmark, isn’t it?" the wizard says, tempted to stop up a moment to take a look.

"And an entrance to the lair. A narrow entrance, at that. And guarded, I presume?" he looks to the goblin then.

Maon hears Jabrano. He wonders if she understands that soon this valley will be bereft of trees. Not to mention the myriad life forms already dead and dying. Is this the solution to bringing this valley to a state of what was? A small stream? Murdering the life around it. A slow death to be sure.

The large trees will stretch to shadow the smaller ones and strangle them for the new growth will have not enough water or sunlight. The larger trees will suffocate in the process, for lack of life giving water.

"No Harm done..."

The frogs who keep the insects in check, in their turn feed many animals. Where are they now? Dead or deep in the mud asleep.

This trickle of a river will not sustain the life that has developed around it. Always the same argument. "No harm done. Can't you see the trees are still standing." Though they rot within for lack of water.

No large Mushroom growth is a sign the hair size ones, the secret messengers, have moved on or have gone dormant. How will the trees speak with each other? Where is a tree herder when you need one? Neither the goblins or this Orc care for the death of so many already and those soon to come...children will die this winter if we do not restore this river!

Finding this was entirely too easy. "I can't believe there haven't been any guards," Malard says. "Surely, something must have seen us just march right up to the entrance of a lair."

"It’s possible that they feel so secure in their position that they’ve done away with trivial things like security?

The or ide before the fall, so to speak."

Listening to the party discuss the lair, the fellow goblin becomes agitated and swings his arms about as he confronts the group. "No, no, no! Guards are inside! Why wait outside? That's just dumb," Grabbo says with unwarranted confidence.

"OK," says Malard, taking note of Grabbo's agitation.Does anyone think they can sneak inside to verify this?

"I could certainly try" says Oren as he approaches the entrance,

"But our strength is in our numbers. Come, let us all see how far we can get before the bells are rung!"

"In that case, after you," says Malard. "I'll keep on eye on you."

Trina will take point, hiding and moving silently.

The party begins forming themselves in a line, in order to take on this goblin lair. They weren't particularly known for having wide open spaces, but rather frustrating tunnels. Not as bad as the kobolds, however...

Marching Order First Draft
Trina
Jabrano
___
Malard
Odilo
Maon