After information gathering, Emudre is reminded that Oleg's Trading Post has been requesting for guards to be stationed there. There seems to be talk of bandits becoming more and more of an issue in the area, but no one has firsthand knowledge of the situation.
25 Calistril, 4710
Rising early, the group breaks their fast and heads west out of Restov. Following the South Rostland Road, you make good time toward your destination of Oleg's Trading Post. A little under half a day's ride, the party spots a wooden palisade ahead. Set along the northeastern bank of the Shrike River, you recognize the village as Nivakta's Crossing, the southernmost village in Rostland. As you get closer, you spot a low bridge that allows access over the river to the southern wilderness. On the southwestern side of the bridge lies well-manned guard towers. While riding through town, you hear whispers of it being odd that four well-armed groups have ridden through town within a day of each other in addition to speculation, some of it rather preposterous, as to what the reason might be. The citizenry seem sturdy, down to earth, and serious to a fault. A street urchin informs the party that one group headed south and the other two continued west. His father confirms the information and adds that the regions they are purported to be going to have no civilized areas to his knowledge.
Near the end of the first day, you spot a wooden fort in the distance. Hustling your mounts, you make it there, only to find that it has been abandoned. Upon further inspection, you determine that it was abandoned in a swift but orderly manner. Orders are found in one of the buildings, recalling the soldiers and scouts stationed in Fort Serenko to Restov, due to “growing tensions between Rostland and Issia.” With the sun setting, the party decides the vacated fort would make an excellent resting point for the night.
26 Calistril, 4710
Waking up the next morning, you break camp and continue your journey west. Your quiet ride is broken by
the sound of low-pitched grunts and angry squeals. To your left, you see four boar near the water's edge. It is quite obvious that they see you too! What do you do - will you ride hard and fast from the threat? Or do you brave the encounter?