Greenest in Flames

Having dispatched the toll-taking orc in short order you move down into the gully where the beast was hiding. About eight feet deep and fully overgrown it was the perfect spot for the orc to watch for unwary travelers and it's obvious from just a quick investigation that he has spent quite some time at this location.

Within a few hours you make the turn to the south and your travels over the next few days are relatively uneventful; a minor run in with a few wayward goblins being the only real excitement along the way. As evening approaches on your eighth day of travel your destination is just a few short mile ahead and as you crest a small rise you can see Greenest off in the distance. But instead of the pleasant, welcoming town that you expected, you see columns of black smoke rising from burning buildings, running figures that are little more than dots at this distance, and a dark, winged shape wheeling low over the keep that rises above the center of town. Greenest is being attacked by a dragon!

The half moon and numerous fires within the village provide just enough light to give you an idea of the carnage that has befallen the town. Groups of figures run about, some appear to be fleeing, while others seem to be going about their business without a care in the world. As you reach the outskirts of Greenest it's clear the most of the flames are coming from haystacks, wagons, and barns that have been set ablaze, most of the homes and shops appear to be untouched by fire, a small consolation.

Entering the village you get your first look at the invaders as six hooded figures stand over several corpses. They are methodically searching the recently deceased and don't even notice that they're being watched.