And Our Villains...

The hill looked out over a crossroads perhaps half a mile away that was partially concealed from place to place by a series of dying patches of vegetation, large boulders, low, rolling hills, and dipping defilades. There was one thing for sure, however; something was approaching. A column of dust was rising from the cover visible for almost a mile as it moved forward, and soon the crack of wagon wheels and guttural barks of command filled the air.

An army.

No, a caravan.

The **** convoy appeared nearest the intersection itself and cut back south on the road to Southmarch. There were 24 Goblins total, all appearing to be the soldier class of their odd caste system; eight hulking Warriors, each as big and brutish as any of the Dragonfolk could ever wish to be, and sixteen smaller Skirmishers. While the Warriors were outfitted with bastard swords, great mauls, and horrid looking axes, the Skirmishers were glad to have light bows and spears. All of the Warriors were mounted on Troks, which were like half-lizard half-boar scaled / haired nightmare beasts, and maybe a quarter of the Skirmishers, the important looking ones, were on Hoads, which were like ghastly crawling hopping frog-like horrors.

Mixed into the caravan were a number of slaves, almost all women, though there were a few men dragged along as well. They were probably meant for working the fields or, perhaps, some more carnal desire, while the women were all to be traded. Some would bring hefty prices as depending who wanted them. Those that didn't trade, of course, would be taken by the Warriors and the Shamans to produce the next generation of Goblin babies. Some of the women, probably the fiestiest ones who wanted to fight and escape, were locked in a wagon being drawn by a Trok, while the rest, as well as the men folk, were tied together and led.

The biggest Warrior, near the front, stopped and faced the hill, raising a club in its direction.

He barked something.

And suddenly, another Warrior followed by three Hoad mounted Skirmishers, were charging the hill.