[The captain wants to talk to us?] This is getting serious, didn't we kill a noble? That's grounds for executions, right? No matter where you live.

The guild receptionist seems to notice my concern. [A knight wouldn't blame civilians for another knight falling in battle. He knew the risks, if anything, captain Harkness probably wants to thank you for fighting alongsde him.]

I don't know about that, but then again, he wouldn't know what had really happened, would he?

[Can't we just pass on a message that its no trouble and leave?] Xandra smiles awkwardly. It's only half a joke.

[No. We musn't.] Lenore is in dignified noble mode again. [As adventurers we have reached a level now where we can no longer ignore diplomatic relations. We're representatives of the guild now.]

That's exactly why I didn't want all these promotions!

The receptionist nods. [You are young, but you're probably the highest ranked members here that aren't tied up in administration. I wouldn't be surprised if you're named a hero Rudy.]

Ugh.

Keeping all these secrets does not make me feel like a hero.

-

The knight captain has commandeered an empty office in the guild house.

This time with proper escort we're led upstairs, passing an unpleasant looking Mildred and put before the captain.

[Sir Harkness, it is our honor to be of service to the renkown Harkness family.] Lenore makes a bow.

The man makes a quick gesture back and stands up. [Let's do away with the pleasantries and get to business. How much do you know about Lacrima's shadow war?]

[What are you talking about?] I quickly ask.

[James, close the door.]

Another knight shuts the door behind us and stands before it with his arms crossed.

This is bad isn't it? It's really bad!

[What are you doing?] Xandra has the same instincts I do. It seems like they're trapping us.

[The guild master, Arnold, is currently in house arrest. We have reason to believe he was taking bribes from the witch.]

I hold my breath. Was this part of the original time line? [What about the other staff? What about Marie?]

He raises an eyebrow. [The other guild members are being allowed to continue their duties. From what I understand Marie was a former member that was killed in action this year. Do you have any contraditing information?]

[N-no.]

That's impossible though! Or is it? Did I do anything to change the story of the game?

He sighs deeply. [According to the guild archives Lacrima commissions an adventuring party to penetrate the deep woods every five months or so. Each time it is a targeted request.]

[Every five months? But the feybloom was meant to combat the snakescale plague that recently broke out pyuu!]

[Miss Purma, do you know of the Twicaster family?]

[Pyuu~? A knight family isn't it? Healers and bishops I believe.]

[That's right. A number of them are with the regiment in this city. I trust their judgement more than anything. They tell me this affliction is magical in nature. Likely created by Lacrima herself.]

[What!]

[No Way!]

[Pyuu!]

All of us are shocked to hear this.

He continues. [The feybloom is the source of the fairy queen's power. Using the adventurers' guild Lacrima has waged a secret war against the fairies of the witchwood, pitting us all against them.]

[Is- Is Elpheba in on the conspiracy?] I ask meekly. If she is, do we admit what happened? What will happen to us if we do?

[That we don't know. The orphanage has been blocked off and surrounded. We're worried that she might use her apprentice or the orphans hostage.]

[Oh no... Letta.]

[What do you want from us?] Xandra boldly asks.

Captain Harkness stands up and paces around, looking at the pictures on the wall. [You've been to the bandit hideout.]

[Yes?]

[You should probably be told... the bandit leader was once my daughter.]

A silence falls over the room. Nobody wants to touch that subject.

[However. This is not about me. This is about the goblin army. They cannot be allowed to threaten this town any longer.]

[Excuse me Sir, pyuu-] Lenore asks politely, [Why are you so worried about these goblins? They're not attacking any of the farmhouses, are they?]

[Not yet. What do you know about the goblin called- 'Scratch'?] I notice how reluctant he is to say the name.

[We did meet him. He seems to have a strange power over the rest.]

The captain nods and rubs his chin. [Truth be told, the local monsters would not be getting this much attention if it weren't for him. Many clerics have reported visions from Benesant declaring him an enemy of goodness. Likely, he must be practicing dark sorcery or demon summoning.]

[That's what you want from us.] Lenore now states with certainty. [Because Rudy has escaped their base twice already, you believe he can assassinate their leader.]

[So was I!] Xandra states indignantly.

This talk is dangerous enough to shake me out of my thoughts on the game's story. [What? No. We only survived because the goblins spared us!]

[Naturally, there will be a reward. The duke has written to me personally. Stating that the lands surrounding Eston should be made into a barony in order to better keep order. You are at an appropiate level of achievement now, the land could be yours. I'm sure the duke will agree.]

What is he saying? That makes me want to do it even less! My ambitions of a quiet life are going up in smoke!

[He'll do it! Pyuu~!]

What?!

[Good. James, make sure they get any equipment or tool they need then send them on their way.]

Is he ushering us out before I can take back what Lenore said?

[Actually I-]

He rushes out. [I can't stay and chat, I'm needed at the orphanage. James, take care of it.]

He really is!

-

We're outside and I'm really upset now. [Lenore how could you! We can't take on the whole goblin army.]

[Yeah,] Xandra chimes in, [no offense kitty, but this is like something I would do.]

She points her noise into the air. [I don't know about you, but I know what goblins are like, pyuu, and those weren't goblins.]

I pause. It's true that Scratch and his goblins are less ugly than in most other parts of the world. They don't have the scabs and boils, or the gauntness with the potbelly.

Besides all that, they're smarter and less aggressive too.

[Pyuu. They're harmless. Beastmen were once treated just like that just because we're different, dontcha know? I know what my mother would say, she'd say we'd have to put a stop to this extermination. Pyuu~]

[Then why-?]

[Rudy,] she puts her hand on my shoulder, [without Scratch, the knights will have no reason to attack the promise.]

[Lenore... is right.] Xandra sighs. [Biter, Kicker, even Second. None of them are evil. It was just Scratch that had them kill Dave and do those things to Theresa.]

[Rudy, when you become the Baron of this land you can ensure the other goblins live. Pyuu.]

[But...] What about living a normal life?

Trading by boat was now in full swing, and the latest import from the civilized world was something very pleasing to Scratch, a mirror.

Though not man-high for a human and likely meant for hanging above a bathroom sink, it was tall enough to show his full body when put on its side against the wall.

Proudly, he inspected his tailor-made suit. A pinstripe 3 piece with a tie and matching trilby, which had stuck a long colorful basilisk feather in.

The sleeve on his magic arm was shortened, and his usual loose garment covered the manabelt.

It had been a logistical challenge getting measurements and having them realized by a tailor that he would never see face to face, but Barbara had managed come through for him, knowing she would receive a percentage of the steep fee.

The vanity purchase had set the family back a great deal of money, leaving them unprepared for any unforeseen setbacks during the winter.

That didn't concern him much. With the suit on, he was finally himself again.

Green and small, maybe. But not a monster, not a foundling or savage, a man in control of his destiny.

With a pleased smile he inspected himself in the mirror, practicing hellos and goodbyes with his hat.

Eventually he grew tired of his own company and his mind began to wander to the planned events of the day. The occasion for which he had dressed to smartly was not due yet, but it wouldn't hurt setting out early and using the time to show off his clothes to everyone.

Coming downstairs and leaving through the atrium, the inner square surrounded by the arms of the building, he had to dodge a horde of muddy goblins and dogs running in and out of the dungeon entrance.

-

There was more traffic to and fro now. The room around the top of the elevator had been greatly expanded by use of Lacrima's spellpaper.

As an appeasing gift to the wolves Scratch had enlisted many of the displaced and idle goblins from below into building additional resting baskets, the wooden flooring with rounded holes in them with soft materials to serve as sleeping spots.

There were close to a hundred wolves under the wind wolf's command now, including the young pups and other packs that had merged into this one, so the sheer number of baskets was daunting and many of those at the outer edges were being skimped. Still, Barbara's goblins had developed a skill and confidence using tools, many had calluses on their hands from dedicated monotonous work.

The wolves were pleased enough with the result and showed it with a greater willingness to indulge the goblins. It was now not uncommon for hobgoblins to led themselves be sledded around by a handful of wolves even without urgent justification.

-

Felix and Constantine were just racing into town like that, scaring and endangering all users of the public road by wildly shooting past the wall and up to the mansion.

The two hobgoblins arrived at the front at almost the same time and jumped out to run to the boarded up well in a competition on who could touch it first.

"Yes!" Felix declared triumphantly. His hand might not have been the one to touch the object first, but he said it so confidently that even his opponent came to believe it.

"Did you have fun joyriding?" Scratch remarked stiffly.

"It wasn't for fun, we were being serious!" Felix insisted, "mom said someone had to tour the colonies and we did."

Scratch looked at the boys, the sleds, and back again waiting to see if they would be making excuses for their wildcat behavior during a serious mission, but they didn't acknowledge it.

"Well?" He inquired.

"It's safe again," Constantine reported, "there were adventurers and big cats but we defeated them and send them back like you said."

"Where's your sister?"

"Ada wanted to stay behind for a bit," Constantine explained, then, as if it reminded him of it, he said "do we have to let the adventurers live?

The mothers are always saying they wouldn't be bothering us if they were afraid of death. One almost killed Piers yesterday."

Scratch moved his lips to the side of his mouth. "I told you all this already, didn't I? Two reasons: First of all, you're winning so easily because they have the option to surrender without dying." He looked at him austerely to drive home the point. "And secondly, the adventurers guild sends more experienced killers based on the body count, so we don't want to raise that."

"But that- I-" Constantine wasn't able to properly voice his misgivings.

"Oh!" Felix slapped his hands together. "I took something from the adventurers." He went over to his sled to grab it.

Out came an enormous weapon, a sickle moon of sharp blade with a wooden grip in the crook and a long unbroken edge on the rounded side, ending in a point on either end. It did seem not practical or elegant, but it looked very intimidating.

"A double glaive!" He gleamed. "For Bree!"

Laid out before the young troll were a variety of weapons.

Lately, this kind of scenario would play out every day. Roused by the exciting rivalry between Bree and the other trolls, her siblings and other goblins would present new tools and techniques that could give her an edge.

They were at the grassy fields behind the water tower, in a far corner within the Promise's walls and near the cliff face. She and Felix were surrounded by more than a dozen bored goblin spectators while he attempted to sell her on his new deadly finds.

"The double glaive," Felix picked up the moon-sickle weapon and demonstrated how to hold it, "with a curved blade you can slice more easily.

See, like this?" He carved a few wide arcs through the air, keeping the blade moving in an unbroken line as he walked towards an imaginary opponent.

With an unsure hand Bree took over the deadly implement. The two handed grip in the crook was large enough for one of her hands, but her large gorilla-like arms couldn't be lifted above the shoulders very comfortably. And besides, bipedal locomotion was difficult for her.

Awkwardly she waggled forward, spinning around a bit to steer the weapon through the sky. The general chatter of goblins became interspersed with some mocking laughter, which reddened her face.

"Okay okay," unable to stand the sight of it her hobgoblin brother grabbed her arm and gently took the double glaive, "let's try something else. A spear."

The discarded weapons were quickly picked up by mischievous idle goblins in order to play with it like a toy and terrorize each other.

"A spear?" She repeated questioningly.

"Yes, he picked up a halberd. "Our family has been using spears from the very beginning you know. Stand like this and you can put your entire weight behind it. Hyah!" Again he demonstrated, the proper use of this weapon was apparently stationary, the legs wide and behind each other to withstand as much thrust as possible. "And this adventurer version has a hook on it, so you can intercept other weapons and then you turn it like that. Hoo! Hah!"

He threw her the weapon and she was able to catch it.

"Come on, try!"

At first she tried his sideways stance, but she found a more comfortable position leaning forward. With one hand she jabbed the weapon in the air a few times. It was more similar to how others would use a dagger.

Felix took a few paces of distance to observe her technique. He framed the image with his hands and pouted pensively like an artist. "Hhmm. Maybe not."

"Can I go now?" Bree complained.

"But why? Don't you want to defeat them? We can try how you do with a whip."

"I don't think so." A voice suddenly said behind them. Again Lydia Harkness had appeared seemingly out of nowhere.

"Mom!"

"Felix, do you understand what these weapons are for?" She asked.

He looked a little offended. "Uh, yeah. I have studied how to use every weapon that's ever been in the forest. I'm designing my own-"

She put her hand on his head. "They're for killing Felix. That's the last thing Bree needs right now."

"What do you mean?"

She went where the double glaive was and picked it up out of idle curiosity. "We've been downstairs many times now. The trolls wrestle Bree but they never go much further. And they never team up. It is a pecking order."

Bree looked down at the ground. "They hate me because I'm weak..."

"Nevertheless. A bladed weapon would change everything. Rather than a show of force it would become a fight to the death. And they would most definitely band together against her."

Both subhumans were startled by the mental image.

"Instead." She threw down her weapon and began to take off her gloves. "Let me show you some techniques from the academy."

A harmonic "ooooh" rustled from the crowd as the spectators' interest was raised.

-

Scratch's techniques for grabbing and throwing were wasted on the troll's body. Her shoulders simply did not have the range of movement to redirect strikes and lock the enemy in a hold.

By contrast, Harkness' striking style seemed to catch on quickly.

In boxing, one holds their arms in front to protect the face and weaves the upper body in order to dodge. Bree's arms were half her body weight and her torso more than half her height.

When she held her arms up none of the rest of her body was visible, and when she ducked out of the way her entire body could swiftly dodge with minimal movement.

Although it was awkward running on two legs, steps and side-steps were much easier and soon she could properly move up with her adoptive mother's movements.

The two made sure their hits would never actually connect. Mainly because even a trained knight wouldn't be able to survive a full-strength blow from a troll.

-

The lesson lasted only about half an hour, but it greatly inspired the goblins and before long a mass of them had collected at the grassy field to box each other.

They did not much care for sportsmanship either, deciding to kick below the belt and bite to their heart's abandon, but also cry foul when their opponent did the same.

Scratch, returning home from his diplomatic mission, was then greeted by a chaotic mess of goblins beating each other black and blue.

"Hey, hey! What's all this then?"

"Oh, hello Scratch," Benjamin said hebetudinously while pushing away a half-conscious sparring partner, "you've got funny clothes on."

"And you have a funny skull shape. Are you mimicking me? You know I didn't lose these teeth on purpose."

"No were were just- uh..."

"Bree's gonna fight the trolls again." The other goblin smiled. "We're all very excited."

-

"Coming through. Watch the suit, watch the suit. It's an expensive suit people."

He pushed his way through to the center to find Harkness and Bree resting from their practice session.

"Are you letting this go on?" He complained.

"It's good for them. Letting out their energy." She panted, "None of this is beyond Jasper. I've been practicing healing as well."

He looked her in the eyes. "It's been some time, did the last patrol come back yet?"

"Ada is still in the forest?"

The fact that even she did not know her location troubled him.

[I'll kill you! I'll kill you!] The hobgoblin keeps yelling at us like that.

We can't use the sled either because all the wolves are trying to attack us.

[Are you sure you remember the path back?] Xandra asks.

[I do.]

That's not what worries me though! What worries me is what we do when we get there!

Am I really supposed to sneak in and take out their leader all on my own?

[You. Your name is Will, right?] Xandra asks the hobgoblin.

That's not a very goblin-y name at all.

[I'll kill you!] He screams again.

[Shut-] she kicks the tied up hobgoblin in the chest. [We're doing this for you too, you know! Try to be a little grateful!]

[Calm these wolves and make them lead us to the Promise.] Xandra demands.

Will looks at her.

[Uh... no?]

[It wasn't a request!] Xandra roars.

[Xandra, pyuu, stop.] Lenore grabs her by the shoulder and pulls her aside. [We wouldn't hurt anybody else.]

[Are you stupid? We have to get to the Promise, don't we?]

Lenore's ears twitch angrily at being called stupid. [Pyuu~! Who let you decide anyway!?]

Now they're yelling and arguing with each other, this isn't bringing us further at all.

I sit down next to Will. He's more quiet now that the attention isn't on him.

[Do you know why we're doing this?] I ask him.

[Hmpf.] He turns her head away from me.

What are you, a child?

Although I guess I'm a child as well.

[We want to help you you know. The church wants to kill Scratch. As long as he's here they will keep attacking you. Without him, this war can end.]

[You want to kill my dad.]

[We want peace!]

Now he looks me straight in the eye. [I don't. I don't want peace. I want to destroy all of you.]

The wolves are now barking more loudly.

This one is so unreasonable! Does he understand that he's tied up? We could kill him you know, there'd be money in it for us.

Xandra is done arguing with Lenore, she pushes her aside. [Goblin boy. If you don't lead us to the Promise we'll tie you up here and we'll go on foot.]

That's... a really weak threat.

[...Fine. I'll do it.] Will suddenly says.

What made him change his mind exactly?

We tie him loose and he goes over to pet the wolves. In order to calm them down he whispers into their ears. That's a neat trick, is it a hobgoblin racial ability?

-

Gliding over the muddy trail I hold a knife to Will's throat.

[I'll know it if you try to go another way.] Is the message.

He's going slower than we did the last time, maybe to stall. But it suits me better going at a reasonable speed.

Eventually we come to the place where the cliff is visible and the wall almost is too.

[Okay, let's get off now.] I demand.

[N-now?] Will hesitates.

[Now.]

The wolves stop and the four of us get off. We tie the sled and the goblin to a tree again.

[This is it Rudy. You have to sneak in alone.] Xandra swallows. [We can't accompany you after this.]

[Pyuu~] Lenore agrees.

I hug both of them.

The wolves are howling really loudly, they better not give us away.

[Make sure you guard him closely,] I yell over the howling, [and don't let them alert any of the others.]

Xandra makes a mock salute.

Yosh. Then I go.

-

I know the entrance of the Promise is likely heavily guarded, so I deviate from the path to find a weak spot in the wall.

It's so advanced! There are even watchtowers now.

I use the spell [Walgis' Eyes] to detect the field of view of the guards. By sticking close to the wall I can pass underneath their vision.

Eventually I find an unguarded spot. Most of the height of the wall is made up out of wood, so I can hook into it to climb over.

Once on top I jump down at the other side and immediately take to the shadows.

I scan my surroundings. There are so much more of them than last week! That's goblins for you. No wonder the guild is worried.

There, in front of the manor, the goblin leader sits all alone, smoking something.

He is wearing a feathered cap and makes for a great target.

I let my fingertips stroke the hilt of my poisoned throwing knives.

But I'll only get one shot at this, then I will need to flee.

I better get a bit closer.

Once again [Walgis' Eyes] to cross the distance to the manor. I rely on the fact that the goblins expect to see movement in the corner of their eyes, only by being directly in their line of sight could I cause alarm.

So close!

Now that I'm pressed against the brick wall of his house I can see the hairs of Scratch's neck.

His attention is focused on some wolf. Now is my time to strike.

I grip my throwing knife and-

[Wow.] Says a lady's voice.

Just as I jump I'm grabbed by the back of my neck.

[You were right.] Lydia Harkness continues. [I almost didn't see him.]

[But you did see him.] Scratch turns around and tips his new hat to me.

[Because I knew what to look for. Since the dogs alerted us. This boy is equal to a knight in stealth.]

I'm about to swing my weapon at her, but she grabs my arm as well. [Though not in strength.]

[I should hope not.] Scratch remarks in an amused tone. [Couldn't stay away, could you Rudy?]

I smirk. [I suppose not.]

His smirk immediately fades. [Lydia. Could you do me a favor tie him up for me to take along?]

She harrumphs. [We promised them the punishment would be death.]

[Did we? But we have to establish some sort of exchange for Will.]

Does he know everything we did in coming here? I ask him [how did you know?]

He looks at his pitch black wolf, and the wolf looks back. It couldn't be... the howling from the wolves? It was a message?

-

I'm tied up and dragged through the town. Luckily, Lydia Harkness doesn't come along. It seems like there are more adventurers that have to be fought.

[We found out were Ada was all morning. She's been risking her life defending the tree grove. I should do something to save her.] Is what she says.

They think they've taken all my weapons from me, but I have a pocket knife sticking out of my sleeve.

If I can cut through the rope I could probably take on Scratch by myself. But as I go more and more goblins and hobgoblins gather beside me.

[Watch the suit,] Scratch tells them before they get too close, [it's all new and expensive. I'm trying to keep it clean.]

I suppose they're curious or something.

What a minute. At this rate we'll definitely be killed won't we? Once Xandra and Lenore hand over their prisoner they'll just come after us anyway, right? I mean we can't fight this many of them can we?

What can I do? I have to stop them from getting to the girls somehow. I have to warn the others to run away.

We exit the Promise but before we arrive were the others are the hobgoblin girl Ada meets us ahead. [No. Stop it.] She commands.

[Ada, where the hell have you been?] Scratch demands to know.

[That's- I've been protecting everyone while you're protecting the enemy!]

This is the hobgoblin that's been killing adventurers everywhere.

[Listen Ada, go back to your room. We'll talk later, huh?]

[I don't have to do what you tell me. You know everywhere else the strongest goblin is the leader! Thats what the others tell us, they say weak goblins are too cowardly. Why are you the leader huh?]

[I said we'll talk later.]

No, please keep talking. Delay the inevitable, please!

-

Instead of going home Ada follows the crowd. From a slightly larger distance to show her displeasure.

I hear her debating furiously with another hobgoblin, but I can't make out what they'r saying exactly.

Eventually we see Xandra and Lenore.

[Rudy!] [Pyuu!] They call out.

[Dad. Ada!] Will yells.

The group stands still. There is a tension in the air.

[Sorry...] I apologize to my team mates. But I don't think my voice calls out very far.

As the goblins ready their weapons Scratch leads me forwards.

Understanding the situation, Lenore does the same with Will. Xandra follows her side by side.

However, Ada comes storming forward to embrace Will, only just forced back by the threat of Lenore's sword. [Will, they captured you!]

[Yes. But I'm fine.]

[You're not fine, you're captured!]

[Ahem.] Scratch demands the attention. [Let's do a clean exchange. I'll let go of the hitman after you let go of my son.]

Lenore grips the rope tighter. [You first.] Xandra says.

Don't make them angry!

My pocketknife is slowly going through the rope. Eventually I'll be free. Just play nice for now.

How do I tell them that?

Ada talks trough the negotiations. [Will, why do they have you what are they doing?]

[Rudy wants to kill Scratch. He says they'll never stop attacking until Scratch is dead.]

Oh no.

I can see Ada becoming angry at those words. Those weren't threats! Will you're repeating it wrongly!

[That's it, we're not exchanging anyone.] She draws a sword and dagger from her back.

As a response Lenore pulls Will back. She and Xandra ready their weapons too.

[Whoa, hey now.] Scratch protests. [Ada what're you doing?]

[I'm taking over as leader. Right guys?] Some of the goblins in back begin cheering. [I'm stronger so I can protect us better.] As if to demonstrate she uses her leg to push her father away from her enemy.

[Xandra. You don't have to do this.] I plead. [They're too strong for us, we can-]

[Be quiet for now Rudy,] Xandra says.

The women circle around each other for a second then the rest of the goblin horde catches up to us to overwhelm them.

We're definitely going to die.

I yank myself loose from Scratch's grip. An axe made of sharped rock is already flying towards my head.

I move out of the way to dodge it, but my hands still are not free.

There's only one thing I can do before I die.

I turn towards Scratch and begin sprinting.

I dodge the other goblins in the way and clash into him, driving my pocketknife through the rope into his chest.

[Argh! Look what you've done! My new suit, all ruined with... with blood.]

He falls back I can't be sure he'll die from this, so I stab him again.

One of these has to hit his heart, right?

Suddenly something sharp is put over my throat and I'm pulled back.

My own razor wire is digging into my throat.

[I'm garroting him, I'm garotting.] I hear Felix say.

This isn't how it's supposed to be used, it's for traps.

I can't breathe, my vision is going dark.

Where are Xandra and Lenore? I can't see them. Have the goblin-

The author stopped typing.

This wasn't right. The hero wasn't supposed to die.

He went to review his broad outline.

'Rudy defeats the orc dungeon, screwing up the events of the game. He is then made a count against his will.'

It was just one instance of a repeating pattern. Rudy, while wanting a normal life, has greatness pushed upon him. There was nothing particularly special about this event in the grand scheme of things.

Then why...

At some point between writing the outline and following the reincarnator's thoughts the future had been altered.

Did he accidentally create a new hero before finishing with this one?

It had to be his imagination.

Tomorrow he would wake up and the adventurers of Rudy would be there for him undisturbed. Ready to be enjoyed vicariously by hundreds, well, dozens, of readers.

He went to turn off the television. He kept it on to hear human voices.

There was some weird news story going on about a man spontaneously catching fire and burning to death.

"See, that's why don't go outside." He muttered to himself.

Area Boss: Lydia Harkness

Type: Bandit

Threat Level: C

Reward: 30 gold coins

The goblin infested woods are ruled by a former knight.

Under her command an army of bandits and goblins has overrun an army fortress. Their headquarters can be found roughly 40 kilometers south from the burned forest.

There are no opportunities for resting between the border of the infested woods and the bandit camp. Within the ruled area there is a dense proliferation of fortified goblin nests and occasional party of roaming hobgoblins.

At the central camp adventurers can expect: hobgoblins, bandits, warg wolves, and possible demonic entities.

The Area Boss, Lydia Harkness, is a dangerous pervert, brood mother to hobgoblins, and possible wielder of forbidden magic. Be vigilant for underhanded tricks, and the depletion of resources and mana through the enemy dense area.

This boss is suited for parties ranked C and up. The reward is split between members.