Down time Part II

Down time Part II

Of the enemy

Akakabul

Having been defeated at the goblin caves has as he had planed taken advantage of the time to rebuild his forces This given the chest of Dwarven gold he recovered from the Ancient Dwarf hold has not proved to be all that difficult even with his more successful rival to the west competing for troops Akakabul does however need a victory as prestige is as good a coin amongst goblin kind as cold yellow metal  and in some cases better. He has decided to regarison the Goblin caves and give command of them to his newly recruited bully Rakazabul who he doesn't quite trust and whose loyalty would be well proven by seeing off the Company should they come that way again. It would also be good if his allies form Pel Brolenon found the place garrisoned and in good order when the larger party arrives from the west.

The rest of his forces bolstered by a newly recruited clan of bugbears he is taking with him to seize the bridge over the river Falx his intent is not to block the road but to tax the caravans which will soon be wanting to cross it form both east and west. If this is successful and he has no reason to believe it will not be he is considering approaching the lord of the manor of A'Rakham for tribute since the wealth and status of that lord depends on the east west road saying open. 

Goblins to the West

Have consolidated after their initial raids and used the success of them to increase their numbers considerably. Indeed to such an extent as to allow Benaxerak the goblin chief in command to consider a full assault on Vaynam from his stronghold on the M’Alvern ridge. To this end Benaxerak has recruited a group of specialist goblin siege engineers as well a lots of common goblins to provide labour and later shock troops in this assault. The Great goblin is well pleased with the Chief especially given that Akakabul for all his gift of coin largely failed in his mission.

Of Allies

A’Rakham Manor 

The Fair is now in full operation and caravans are beginning to arrive  form the west to trade and stock up for the journey west, the first caravans form the east are yet to arrive though this is nothing to worry about as they generally don't this early in the year. The lord of A’Rakham is however concerned by the news of large goblin raids to the west and has recruited a company of mercenaries to protect the inn and its surrounding faire  

The Men of Vaynam 

Have also sought reinforcements from the counts vassals to the west and established what they consider to be a proper defence line along the M’Alvern stream thought the count is worried at the audacity of the goblins and the loss of his son and heir and lands to the east of the stream. He is looking to recruit mercenaries to bolster his knights and feudal levy’s. as  the levy from the southern manors of his demise has not arrived as his vassals the report there own problems with goblins and travellers tails of worse from the P’Baparan side of the border.

The Wayfarer’s temple  

Has not become involved as yet but is aware of at least some of what has been going on to their west but the temples chief priest is not unduly worried trusting in his faith the loyalty of his guards and the strength of the old Kalamarian way towers defences. 

The Men of Ettis wall

Are in readiness for a probable goblin attack and have been moving live stock and inhabitants from outlying farms into the main village. The Militia has been drilling and patrolling regularly as more reports of Goblins com in with the refugees from north of the kings road.

Of those whose potential allegiance is uncertain 

The Sage

The sage has had no contact with the goblins and in truth is blissfully unaware of what is happening right under his nose he has his own interests and is concentrating on those to the exclusion of all else.

 The Ranger

Safe in the woods to the south the semi legendary ranger has kept himself to himself in his solitary misanthropic way and it is unknowable how much he either knows or cares about the goings on north of the Kings road.