Bristol Watch Patrol

A bell tolled loudly through the bustling streets of Bristol Watch, an event more ominous than unusual. Inside the Bristol Watch Inn, Rend-fol heard the metallic chime and turned his head away from the bar to scan the crowd's reaction. Almost immediately, locals and new arrivals alike began murmuring as they put down drinks and forks and made for the door. Rend looked back at his new acquaintance, Rhogar, and asked, "A town summons? The people here don't seem surprised by the bell."

Rhogar took a long pull from his tankard, his scaled hide glistening in a rainbow of subdued hues. He paused for a moment, unleashed a terrific belch, and said, "No, they wouldn't be surprised. Hobgoblins frequently raid the surrounding farmlands. Cairth defends when he can, but we're talking large tracts of land here, none of it walled or fortified. Most likely, the bell rings to summon and organize the militia for patrols and defensive positions."

"Fight for this shit hole ? I'd advise pulling up stakes and following the shortest path to civilization," said Rend, smiling slightly.

"Stranger, that's the second time you've insulted my home. Do it again, and I'll test out how well my axe cuts through those wisps floating on the top of your noggin."

"I'm no lumberjack, but you look tall and thick. Maybe I should shout 'timber' so you don't fall and smother someone when I kill you."

The dragonborn set his tankard down on the bar and stood up, grasping the shaft of his great axe without even looking. Rhogar re-positioned it with both his massive paws, muscles flexing and rippling. He said nothing but took a combat stance, waiting. The bar was already clearing for the summons, but the crowd's pace quickened at the sight of the two armed men squaring off. From behind the bar, the inn keeper yelled, "Eh, Rhogar! You best be throwing this one back. I warn, you'll be payin' for the damages! Unlike last time!"

Rend's smile faded as he gazed darkly at Rhogar. His arms hung at his sides, his right fist alternately clenching and relaxing. The genasi took a quick glance around the now empty common room and then back at Rhogar. He seemed to be calculating something completely unrelated to the current confrontation. Finally, Rend turned his back to the dragonborn and strode out the bar in silence. Quinn nodded at the genasi as he walked out, but if Rend saw him, he gave no sign. Mikala leaned over to Quinn and remarked, "Nice social skills on that one." Quinn smiled and nodded, watching Rhogar lean his axe once more against the bar and grasp his tankard.

Outside, Rend saw what must have been the entire population of Bristol Watch converge at the Town Hall, a new building smelling of sap and pine. Mounted and waiting outside the doors of the Hall, Captain Cairth studied the flow of people with a tactical eye. Though most of the crowd were citizens of the small town, Rend noticed quite a few new arrivals, most of whom packed heavy weapons and armor with hardened countenances to boot. The genasi rearranged the sword strapped to his back and then walked confidently into the milling crowd until he was directly in front of the Captain.

"Captain," Rend called out, attempting to attract Cairth's attention. Cairth pretended to not hear, turning his head away and scanning the other side of the growing crowd. Irritated, Rend called out again, though this time more loudly. Cairth slowly turned his head back to Rend, his eyes narrowing.

"What." It was a statement, not a question.

"So what's going on?" Rend inquired.

Cairth eyed Rend for a moment, a flicker of recognition registering on his face. "You're that genasi that claimed Dirg Stiggler was most righteous in his beating of that farm boy. Said the hin had been cheated."

"Yeah, that's right." Rend crossed his arms over his chest and waited impertinently.

"Well son, I don't know how that kind of thing goes down where you're from, but around here, we don't take a pound a flesh for the smallest slights. You best keep that in mind for future encounters with my citizenry."

Before Rend could respond, the Captain clucked his tongue, lurching his horse forward into the crowd. When he got to the middle, he brought the horse to a halt and addressed the crowd in a commanding voice. "We've got hobgoblin raids up and down our farmlands. Looting, pillaging, even few reports of deaths. Sloan here brought the bodies of the Haskins family this past hour. I hope those to be the only casualties, but my gut tells me there'll be more. We'll be forming up militia patrols throughout the rest of the day and tonight. Lighter forces will walk the first part, and we'll save our strongest forces for the night, when the hobs are more active. I'll be expectin' every able bodied citizen to do his part. Bring what weapons you have, mounts too if you got them. New visitors to Bristol Watch, you aren't obligated to fight, but we'll pay you if you do. Rhogar! Galinndan!"

The Captain scanned the crowd until he spotted the dragonborn's head towering well over everyone else. "Ah, Rhogar, you're a difficult man to spot, what with that delicate profile you cut." The crowd laughed and Cairth continued. "Rhogar, I want you and Galinndan to manage visitor recruitment."

Rhogar nodded, effortlessly heaving his axe on his shoulder. Another man appeared next to him, a blacksmith by attire, and said, "It will be done."

Cairth nodded in approval and said, "For the rest that aren't fighting or patrolling, I'm declaring martial law. I want the inn and businesses closed and the citizenry to stay in their homes. The Town Hall is reserved for the refugees of the surrounding farmlands. That is all."

Cairth reared his horse back and cantered back to the Town Hall. He dismounted and immediately began issuing orders. The crowd immediately dispersed, some heading home to cower fearfully in their homes, others grimly checking equipment and swinging weapons.