2. Phandalin

Boggart readily believes in the efficacy of his fellow adventurer and steps back to Redhawk and Igrem. "Now there's a man who knows what he's doing!" He whispers to his companions while he watches intently.

It becomes increasingly clear to Redhawk and Igrem that Alex is… not entirely certain how this mechanism actually functions.

He reaches toward the wrong section first—hovering near the loop rather than the trigger—then hesitates. His hand shifts. Then shifts again.

A bead of tension forms in the silence. Alex subtly adjusts his grip on his dagger, angling it downward as if to prod the mechanism free…

…but instead, the blade slips.

Luckily, the dagger tip wedges perfectly into a narrow split in the wooden trigger peg—something even the goblins likely didn’t intend. As Alex cheats, he presses down just so—

CRACK.

The peg snaps.

The tension releases all at once with a sharp whip as the sapling jerks upright—but without the trigger intact, the loop collapses harmlessly to the ground instead of tightening. The trap is now disarmed.

Redhawk will clap Alen on the shoulder "Good show Alex, a little shaky to start but you figured it out." He look to the group"Shall we continue? Eyes open." Redhawk will continue to follow the tracks with eyes peeled for more snares or possible pits.

"I meant to do that, yes I did, that's right." Alex says shakily—forgetting about stealth with the trap's racket—as he sheathes his dagger and pulls out a handkerchief to mop his brow, realizing just how close he came to not only making a fool out of himself, but dangling one-armed from the nearest tree!

Igrem scratches the back of his head (through his hood), wondering if he is in the right troop for the expedition they set out to do. He dares not embarrass Alex with a comment, since he was the one to start it all, but turns to Redhawk, worried: "Time of day is becoming late. Are you sure you can lead us to destination before night? Otherwise we might want to go back to town sooner than later..."

Redhawk, as you kneel, study and really take your time with the tracks, the confusion from earlier starts to fall away.

You can see multiple passes here. Not just one group moving through, but several over time. Goblins, yes—but also larger, heavier prints. Hobgoblins. At least two, possibly three. The stride, the depth… these weren’t stragglers. They were moving with purpose.

You also pick up on behavior. These are hunting parties. You find signs of pauses, shifts in formation, even where something was dragged for a short distance before being abandoned or carried off.

Then you notice something more important. The tracks split.

One trail is heavier, more traveled. It leads deeper into the Neverwinter Woods. That direction sees more organized movement. That’s likely where the larger force is operating from… or at least where they retreat to.

The second trail is lighter, but still consistent. It heads more westward, angling toward the High Road. If you had to bet—that is the direction of the goblin cave. Nott’s territory.

Either way, even if you push hard, you won’t reach the cave before nightfall. And turning back now? You’re too far off course for Phandalin too.

You’re in the wilderness for the night, with active goblin and hobgoblin hunting parties somewhere in the area.

Redhawk will relay the info he has gathered then search for a halfway concealable camp sight for the night. He will forage as he does so to help feed the group.

Alex pipes up with "I'm happy to take the middle watch; I need to practice my knife throwing and juggling anyway".

Redhawk manages to gather enough food for the group. Tonight, you will eat rabbits. Tomorrow, some wild berries, water and dry bread (which you brought from Phandalin) for breakfast.

There's no need to spend any rations today.

"And this was supposed to be a one day affair..." grumbles Igrem. Not willing to point fingers, the mage volunteers for first watch, too annoyed to fall asleep quickly anyway.

Redhawk will take pre-dawn. Boggart can sleep through if he likes as I am concerned.

Igrem takes first watch.

The others settle in, bellies full, weapons within reach. The forest is alive but sounds are distant: insects, the occasional rustle of leaves, the far-off call of some nocturnal creature.

Time passes. Slowly. But uneventfully.

---

Next comes Alex and Boggart.

The night has deepened now. The darkness feels heavier. A small, shrinking sliver of light appears on the left side of the moon. Your companions sleep, breaths slow and steady.

Then...

A crack of a twig somewhere beyond the edge of camp.

Another.

Low voices. Harsh. Shapes begin to emerge between the trees. Two figures, moving cautiously but not silently. Broad-shouldered. Armed.

Hobgoblins.

They haven’t spotted the camp yet—but they are close. Very close.

Meanwhile, your small, carefully tended campfire smolders low, its faint orange glow piercing the darkness as thin wisps of smoke curl quietly into the night.

Boggart taps Alex on the shoulder and mimes "I'll wake them up, you keep watch." He slinks over to his sleeping companions, nudging them awake and motioning to be quiet. "Two hobs, over there," he whispers to each in kind.

Alex watches Boggart sneak over to Igrem and Redhawk. The little gnome is light on his feet, he is, Alex thinks. Whispering a quick prayer to his patron goddess, Alex dares to sneak just a little bit closer and see what he could hear, see, or divine from the hobgoblins. Who knows, if things go sideways, he would be in a better position to carve out some hobgoblin kidneys [Free Action: Hide + Stealth Check to move into a better, yet protected position].