After a bit of back and forth, we decide to go to Sandpoint.  We find some mounts, do some shopping and preparation, and begin to make our way.

This isn’t the longest of journeys, and I know most of us have made it before, but surely things Haven’t so overgrown in such a short period of time? In fact, I’m not sure I even recognize this stretch. What foul magic is this?

In these thick woods, we’re all of a sudden attacked by a bunch of goblins – some smaller minions and two significantly more powerful ones – and these seem familiar. But, how? If those two are indeed Koruvus and Ripnugget – two goblins we’ve previously dispatched – has some vile necromancer staked out part of fair Varisia?

Once again, we subdue these creatures, hopefully for the last time. When the dust settles, the surrounding bird calls also seem odd. I try to speak with them, but the only answer I receive is a sense of dread and unease.

In short order, we run across a bugbear that if it who I thingk it is – a brute named Bruthazmus – we’ve fought him before. Kali, in a fit of bravery and chivalry, engages it to single combat, and it accepts. I try to help by keen-ing his blade, but somehow the bugbear detects it, and calls us out. Kali dutifully switches weapons, and they begin fighting.

One of my new companions, Ikniq, casts an enormous ice cage around them, ensuring that while two may enter, only one will leave. To his own delight, he also casts haste on both of the combatants, yelling something almost unintelligible about blood.