5. The Wood of Sharp Teeth

Mission assigned, Dieter hoists the bandit body up over his shoulder and steals off. Thanks to his natural agility, some magic from his elven boots, and the custom work done on his armor, the young man has no trouble moving unseen and unheard. He plants the prepared corpse on the bank of the stream just a couple hundred feet away from the enemy camp, and then makes his way back to the group without any trouble.

It doesn't take long for a handful of Blacktalons to come to the stream for a drink. Upon finding one the slaughtered bandit, they immediately take up a cry of alarm. As mercenaries of all types arrive on the scene, one of the Blacktalons holds up the torn Chill badge and shouts accusations at the hobgoblins.

The raw hostility in the camp is building to a head, with drawn weapons and heated words. Even Taurgosz and Ardenor Crush are shouting into each other's faces. The slightest spark (perhaps even literal) will start a fight that can't be ended without bloodshed!

Sparks trail behind Ida's arrow as it goes far over the heads of the gathered mob, then plummets down to pierce right through the roof of Ardenor Crush's own tent. It doesn't take long for the Chill structure to start spewing noticeable smoke and embers.

Upon seeing his own tent burning, the hobgoblin leader has had enough. "Slay these fools!"

Taurgosz responds in kind. "Let 'em have it, boys!"

And just like that, the camp becomes a raging battlefield.