The story so far...
The characters arrived in Crabport, from the north, at the behest of a sage named Murk Ashwater. Murk has promised hard silver in exchange for services. In particular he has need of hardened adventurers to transport goods through the Pixiewood. The woods have become exceptionally dangerous as of late, in large part because of the rise of a man known as the “Elm King”.
Upon arrival in Crabport the characters were shocked to discover their employer had unfortunately passed away, dying from old age, and leaving the character’s with little prospects. After investigating the town for a while the characters learn of the rumors surrounding the Elm King as well as the standard bounty for goblin ears offered by the Emperor. After spending a few days assessing their situation the characters run across a sailor in town on furlong. The sailor, a man named Tor, claimed to hail from the town of Coven and for the price of a beer or two he regales the character with tales of how the man claiming to be the Elm King is actually from his home town. Interestingly enough he also claims an old woman who lives there is the Elm King’s mother.
Hoping to collect on the large reward the characters set out towards Coven hoping to find the mother of the man who has organized the humanoids of the woods. During their travels they discover the body of a mercenary, a member of the Company of the Serrated Sword. Arriving in the small village the characters were surprised to find a smattering of a dozen buildings and a recluse population that closed shutters and avoided the travelers at all costs. They stayed the night in the inn and inquired about the location of the old woman that is rumored to be the mother of the Elm King.
In the morning they set and found the place Geraldine called home. Situated on a hill full of rotting farmland the characters found the old witch unwilling to cooperate with them. Frustrated they returned to Coven to weigh their options. The following day they returned hoping to persuade the old woman into revealing the location of her son. After a brief discussion the characters were unable to meet the old woman’s conditions for the information. In frustration the dwarven wizard hurled a rotted pumpkin at the old woman, and much to his shock the blow killed her. With little information and no leads the characters left Coven and set off towards Bluepoint hoping to find more promising leads as to the location of the Elm King.
The trip from Coven to Bluepoint is adventurous with the characters running afoul with several malicious fairies in addition to discovering another body belonging to he mercenary company. Arriving in Bluepoint the characters discover the area unharmed by the rumors of humanoids. The town is comprised of farmers and woodsmen and the party learns that travel to the south and west has become extremely dangerous. Hoping to find more the characters set off south to scour the woods.
A day into their travels they stumble across a small isolated gorge in a rocky area that contains a large cave. The group manages to defeat the wolves guarding the entrance though some wounds are suffered. While they rest up outside the cave a small group of goblins circles around and ambushes them, forcing the characters to seek refuge inside the cave. Past the twisting tunnel they arrive in a large room that appears to have been set in some form of defense. Overturned tables guard an exit across the room and a large fire chokes the ceiling with smoke.
In an attempt to surprise the defenders the characters sprint across the room. Unfortunately the room is trapped. The space between the tables contains a pit and the warrior, Jayco plummets down while three goblins hidden above on a ledge concealed by smoke rain crossbow bolts down on the group. A short and bloody battle ensues and the goblins are able to drive the characters from the cave.
Returning to Bluepoint the characters lick their wounds and vow revenge. After a week they set out to the south again hoping to improve on their initial assault. Unfortunately en route the encounter a group of goblins, led by a hobgoblin, and hope to ambush them. The fight goes poorly and the party is crushed. Only Jayco survives the fight while his companions fall. Meanwhile the survivors of a caravan attack arrive in Bluepoint claiming a large host of goblins attacked them two days prior, killing dozens of men. From the survivors Jayco is able to recruit some new companions.
The new group arrives at a deal with the militia leader of Bluepoint, a man named Granderson, to head west and seek out the goblin encampments. He hopes the characters are able to ascertain the number of creatures in the host. With vigor the characters enter the woods to the west in search of the goblins. They discover a small encampment and quickly dispatch of the creatures, then head north towards a larger mountainous area. There they discover a large host of the creatures using a cave system as a barracks. Fifty of the creatures leave the area allowing the characters time to scour the caves. After a brief battle with some wolves they are able to discover the number of goblins in the cave and even loot a large bedchamber belonging to some sort of leader, discovering a large magical book in the process.
After firing the room the characters returned to Bluepoint to rest and evaluate the situation. Granderson is worried about an eminent attack on the town while eluding to some form or secret mission but thus far details are not forthcoming.