Chapter One: Greenest in Flames!

Among the people on the walls, most are staring out apprehensively, obviously not trained warriors. A few others have fine bows and are standing patiently, ready to use them if necessary.

Out in the field, you can't tell much, the lack of buildings close to the keep also means that there's no burning buildings to illuminate the area. The moon is nearly full, but it's not enough to allow you to pick out specifics about any individuals out there.

Those who head up to the wall, see Bughu already up there, longbow relaxed but ready. Nearby, you also notice the wounded old man.

The man's gaze lingers on the town for a few more moments before he turns to face you, "I am the mayor here, Tarbaw Nighthill. It's good to meet you, good dwarf, though I wish it were in less troubling times," he says, then rubs his hand over his face, sighing, "Well, the situation here doesn't look good, but it could be worse. You can see that they have now surrounded the keep, but I don't think that they intend to attack it. I think that they want us in here so that they can finish looting the town. From what I've heard, these people and their monster friends haven't been interested in violence, preferring to take what small wealth we have and leave anyone who stays out of their way alone."

"I'm more concerned about those that weren't able to make it in when the gates closed, though. There is a way to get in and out of the keep, potentially without anyone noticing, but we haven't had anyone with the skills or daring to do so," he pauses for a moment, obviously working up his courage, "Perhaps you and your friends would be willing to work with Escobert, the guard captain, to see if there's anything you could do to help in the town?"

"I can't say for sure what they want here, we've never had any trouble before, beside the occasional highwaymen. There are disturbing rumors downstairs, though. Some of the people have heard them mention a 'Cult of the Dragon'. It's not a name known to me, but it is surely not a good omen."

Tarbaw shrugs, "That sounds bad... cult business can get messy real quick once it starts up. As for the dragon, it hasn't done much more than fly around and terrify people though, so it's hard to say. It must be in league with these raiders, though."

'Twere dire portents that drew me here to Greenest. Something larger is afoot. Larger perhaps than this threat to your fair town Mayor Nighthill. Can you think of naught that drew the dragon here? Maybe even some fanciful tale or strange traveler that might but the subject of idle talk?

"Not a single thing that I can think of. Nothing odd has happened here in years," the mayor confirms.

Making his way around the wall, it doesn't take long for Bughu to make contact with someone, "The captain? Oh, he makes his rounds pretty frequently. If you wait long enough, he'll probably find you."

It isn't long before Bughu sees a stout dwarf with tangled and bushy red hair and beard coming from the opposite direction, shouting encouragement to the men on the wall.

The dwarf turns to look at Bughu before sighing, "Why does everyone keep calling me that? I'm not a captain, I'm just the master of the keep here. At least you got military manners boy, though I ain't seen you around before," he says, "At ease, boy. Name's Escobert the Red, and who're you?"

Escobert listens to Bughu's report before nodding, "Aye, could use a few good soldiers, that's fer sure. There is an old tunnel down below that leads out by the stream that runs through town. There's a pile o' things that need doing, if yer willing to help," he says, obviously happy to have someone with military training to speak to, "First, we need a prisoner, so we can find out what they want here. A commander of some kind would be best, though we'll take what ye can get. Second, east of here is our mill, he says, pointing to a large barn to the east, "It holds a large part of our food supply. We've got word that they're trying to burn it down, which will severely cripple our ability to eat. We need the raiders taken out until I can get a team over there to set up a permanent defense."