Caradon Day 9 - Earth: March 4, 2020

Frank walks in the front of the wagon with Branthor and his mate beside him as the trade caravan continues to travel north. Even though it was nearly noon, he could still smell the smoke from the camp fire last night where Fergus told outrageous stories about travelling merchants including fighting off a bloodthirsty horde of Barbarians upon the eastern tundra. Frank used the Perfect Memory power during the fireside conversations to ensure he retained the dubious history and cultural information.

While yesterday was peaceful and uneventful, Frank decided to have the other Mastiffs scout ahead of the travelling party to either side of the road. Two of the soldiers escorting their Emporer were positioned at the rear of the convoy. The lieutenant and the three other soldiers of Frank’s escort walk just behind their Emperor. Frank hears one of the apprentice traders cursing the stubborn mules that refuse to keep pace with the rest of the convoy.

”Fergus, did you really need to pick the two most stubborn mules in the realm to carry your wares?” Frank inquired of the flamboyant trader.

”Weel, tha more ornery ta mule ta more stamina it has. I prefer tha ta a weak one. Plus it liven up tha trip ya see!” Fergus replied.

Frank was about to make another snarky comment when he felt Branthor tense and spin toward the rear. Moments later one of mules squeales as a dart strikes its side, and cries of alarm come from the soldiers near the rear. Frank feels Branthor’s conflicting desires to protect him or to attack the attackers. Frank commandes. Branthor and his mate rush off toward the small humanoid figures attacking the rear of the convoy.

Roy, one of the caravan guards, fires an arrow at a goblin hitting it in the abdomen. Are these creatures really goblins? This is the first encounter with monsters he expects from a RPG, and this realization startles him. Three of the four goblins rush towards the right side of the wagon from the direction of the forest. The goblin struck by Roy’s arrow moves as quickly as it can, but it falls behind its compatriots. Each goblin carries a wicked dagger and wears only a loin cloth. There are three goblins near the edge of the forest swinging rocks in slings.

The soldiers near Frank surge past him as he activates his bracer. A wooden shield appears in front of Frank’s left forearm. Frank sprints forward and to his left until his line of sight is clear of his soldiers; he unleashes a [Psi Blast] towards the goblin slingers. Two of the monsters stagger losing control of their slings while the last one slings a rock toward Frank. He calmly intercepts the rock with his shield. Suddenly, the three goblin slingers collapase like marrionets after their strings have been cut. Two Mastiffs pounce upon their prey quickly ripping out the throats of the three unconcious goblins. Light blue sparkling energy floats up from one of the goblins and enters one of the Mastiffs. Even during the life and death struggle, the Mastiff pauses in apparent ecstasy during its psionic power up.

Frank switches his attention to the soldiers to his right as the last goblin is easily dispatched by a level 4 soldier. Glancing toward the rear of the caravan he sees one of his soldiers is down on the ground being admistered to by the medic that accompanied his escort.

We crushed these unworthy foes Great One! These unworthy ones are prey beasts not hunters.> Branthor scornfully interjects.

This is the first time Branthor has spoken with such derision about any beast, monster, or human. Frank senses that an incompetent hunter is the lowest form of life to his proud familiar. Frank sends back. Thank you my friend and comrade. You and your pack saved lives and valuable goods that are important to me. I am in your debt.>

Frank experiences Branthor's mind light up with pleasure at the praise from his lord and master. A brief flash of unworthiness flashes through Frank's mind without any hint of a change of expression upon his face. He turns toward Lieutenant Thorensen. “Lieutenant, What is your status?”

"The creatures have been defeated with minimal loss, Your Imperial Majesty! The loot is 6 poor quality knives, three poor quality slings, and 4 copper. Our medic is tending to Morris, but he is very close to death. I will update you if his condition changs." the lieutenant reported.

"Please share the loot with the caravan guards. I will leave the details to you." Frank turned to walk toward the wagon with Branthor and his mate at his side. The two other Mastiffs scouted deeper into the forest where the attack originated. "Fergus, how fares your team?" Frank inquired.

"We survived, Your Imperial Majesty. I da not believe we wuld hav on our own. Ya hav me gratitude, Your Imperial Majesty! I am concerned about this attack. Where there is one party of goblins - there are many. Will you send some troops to make the road safe?" Fergus requested.

Quest (Empire, Rank D): Clear the Roads Rewards: 10 EP Fergus believes there will be additional attacks by the goblins in the area. He is concerned the caravan will be attacked on its way back from the Carath. Clear the forest of the goblin threat.

"Fergus, I will form an expedition when I can, but I must complete this trade mission to the village first. I will increase the number of guards we are hiring to 8 guards. If you can hire at least four, then you should have enough protection on your trip back. Again, I will send a pacification expedition as soon as it is reasonable to do so." Frank stated in his Imperial edit tone. "For now my escort will need to camp here to maximize healing and recovery before we continue on our mission."