Something Wicked this way Comes...

[Mr. X]

Weary and beleaguered the column of worn soldiers and refugees moves away from Citadel at a crawl.

Slow as you are, the immensity of the barbarian army is slower still. And though you spend the first several hours jumping at every off noise, expecting frothing raiders to appear bearing down on you, they never do appear... A fact only sets your frayed nerves even further on edge...

Still, come nightfall, your outriders maintain that the coast is clear, and circling what wagons you've got, you settle in for the night.

With the coming onset of winter, the night air is frigid, and you are troubled by snow flurries and brisk winds coming off the mountains... Where Bejal left you supplied with sufficient provisions and heavy blankets, you are disastrously short on fuel to keep fires burning through the night...

By the time you reach the town, another hundred of the wounded have died of their injuries and the cold...

Long Road began its life as a camping point between Ork Watch and Citadel. It sits about an average, full-day's ride North of Ork Watch. When caravans coming from either direction passed here, they began trading with each other, rather than completing their journies, and the town was born.

As you arrive, you find the evacuation in full swing... Mostly.

Your messenger informs you that the town's rather low ranking nobles had fled immediately, taking most of the town guard with them. A shopkeeper named Alder Gint has taken it upon himself to organize the retreat, and has done a reasonable job. Most of the farmers are refusing to leave, however... Unable to transport their winter stores, most will be left destitute at best... Many will likely starve.

Regardless, Long Road boasts a number of inns, as well as a temple to Ayailla, lesser goddess of light and celestial radiance, who's priestess and acolytes are willing to house and aid the wounded...

If nothing else, you won't be sleeping in the cold tonight.