Licia Pericol will guide the remaining Polosita soldiers through enemy territory, east and slightly south, then circle north and go back to the west, as this is the safest route that his men have been able to find. There may well be battles with orcs, goblins, or xolome on this journey, but Licia’s scouts should be able to keep them clear of any large groups.
In the east, one of the places they’ll hide and be given meager food and bedding is the ruined Meritros House. Overrun and then abandoned by orcs, Meritros House now holds several poor families who eke out barely enough food from the surrounding fields and who seek to avoid goblin and orc bandits whenever possible.
Legends of the heroes of Polosita have reached these refugees, all of whom yearn for the return of the Pax Romana. The soldiers will be treated well within this house, or at least as well as the house can afford.
Within Meritros House, the player characters will discover the rumors that bring them to the halls of Xel-I-Tec.
• One of the poor family members has seen a warrior Elf entering a hole in the mountains. Describing where it is would be difficult, but he could lead them to the vicinity. The characters will then need to follow tracks to the hole.
• Tiny bands of xolome have been venturing from the mountains to steal food from travelers and kitchens.
• A strange knight wanders the mountain lanes at night, sometimes stopping to stare west across the lands.
No individual knows all of the rumors, but the player characters should receive them as everyone wants to gossip with them. You may wish to add some more that you know will pique your characters’ interest.
