In the days since the strange rats, the vast sums of halfling disappearances and the shadow they formed over Hilltop. It seems the region is still not rid of its perils. In recent days, outside villages and hamlets, merchants along the trade roads and even river ships have spied masses of bands of armored warriors.
The bands always number no more then thirty, and consist of strange half-breeds. Orcs with long arms and hunched backs like trolls. Orogs and giant men with various colored scales, draconic and demonic wings standing. And other unnatural spawn of a vivisectors dream.
The bands attack the most defenseless of villages, often burning homes and taking away plunder. So far, only a few deaths have been reported by the sad refugees that begin making their way to any walled city. Conch is especially overrun by refugees, filling the slums further and Hilltop has seen many outside hins arriving to their small village. The mayor of Hilltop and the resident mage are struggling to accommodate their new arrivals.
And perhaps sensing opportunity, bands of mercenaries from official forces to small squads of former brigands looking to make some “legit” money have begun showing up offering their services for a hefty price. But it all seems a prelude to something darker and bloodier.