Data and Magic

The Adventurers Guild in Sharwood was a bustling hub of activity, a stark contrast to the quiet apprehension that permeated the rest of the town. It was a large, two-story building constructed primarily of timber, with a sturdy stone foundation that spoke of resilience and longevity. The ground floor served as a common area, filled with rough-hewn tables and benches where adventurers gathered to share stories, compare notes, and plan their next expeditions. The air was thick with the scent of woodsmoke, stale ale, and the faint, metallic tang of blood and sweat – the unmistakable aroma of a warrior's life. The upper floor, William surmised, likely housed offices, meeting rooms, and perhaps some basic lodging for guild members.

As William and Julia entered, a grizzled old man behind a counter, his face a roadmap of wrinkles and scars, glanced up from a large, leather-bound ledger. "Julia! Just saw Edward with a solemn look on his face. He was in a rush and wanted to speak with Lucas. They are meeting upstairs at the moment. Trouble in the Tallenwood?"

"There is," Julia confirmed, her voice serious. "We need to speak with Lucas. And Captain Oswald, if he's available. It's urgent."

The old man's eyes narrowed, his expression turning grave. "They're both here. They are meeting in the strategy room upstairs. Sounds like you're not the only ones with bad news." He jerked his thumb towards a narrow staircase. "Go on up. They're expecting you."

William and Julia ascended the stairs, the wooden steps creaking under their weight. The sounds of the bustling common room faded behind them, replaced by a hushed anticipation. They reached a landing and followed a short corridor to a heavy oak door, from which muffled voices could be heard. Julia knocked firmly, and a voice from within called out, "Enter!"

The room they entered was spartan but functional. A large, rectangular table dominated the centre, its surface scarred and stained with the marks of countless meetings, countless plans hatched and discarded. Maps of the surrounding region, marked with troop movements, fortifications, and areas of known enemy activity, covered the walls. The air was thick with tension, a palpable sense of urgency that pressed down on William like a physical weight.

Edward stood at the head of the table, his back to the door, his posture rigid. He was in the midst of speaking, his voice low and intense, relaying the details of their encounter with the goblin scouting party. Seated around the table were two men, their faces grim, their attention riveted on Edward's every word.

One, a short, stout man with a receding hairline and a prominent potbelly, was clearly not a warrior. His clothes, though well-made, were practical rather than ostentatious, and his hands were soft and uncalloused. This, William presumed, was Lucas, the guild manager. Despite his non-combatant appearance, however, there was a sharpness in his eyes, a keen intelligence that suggested a mind as sharp as any blade. He looked like a man who understood logistics, strategy, and the delicate art of managing a diverse group of adventurers.

The other man was the epitome of a military commander. Captain Oswald was a tall, broad-shouldered figure clad in gleaming plate armour, the steel polished to a mirror sheen despite the tell tale nicks and scratches that spoke of countless battles fought and won. A longsword, its hilt worn smooth with age and use, hung at his side, a symbol of his authority and his readiness for action. His face was weathered and stern, his eyes hard and unwavering, the gaze of a man who had seen too much death and destruction, but who remained unbroken, unyielding.

As William and Julia entered, Edward paused in his report, turning to acknowledge their presence. "Julia. Good. You're here. And is this William?" He gestured them towards the table. "Captain Oswald, Guildmaster Lucas, yes this is William. He was with us in the Tallenwood. He can corroborate our findings."

Lucas and Oswald turned their attention to William, their eyes assessing him with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion. William felt a wave of nervousness, suddenly aware of his rumpled clothes, his bandaged leg, and his complete lack of martial prowess. He felt distinctly out of place in this gathering of warriors and strategists.

"So," Lucas began, his voice surprisingly gentle, "you were with them in the forest? You saw these goblins first hand?"

William nodded, finding his voice. "Yes, sir. One attacked me and it was only through sheer luck that I managed to survive. If it weren't for Julia and Edward..." He trailed off, unable to finish the sentence, the memory of the goblin's snarling face still vivid in his mind.

Oswald leaned forward, his gaze intense. "Must be the one that Edward mentioned had run away. Can the three of you describe them. How many? What were they armed with? Were they part of a larger force?"

William took a deep breath, trying to organize his thoughts, to present the information in a clear and concise manner, just as he would have done with a data report back in his old life. "I only saw the one that attacked me, but Julia and Edward clashed with a group of them separately. The one I saw was small, green-skinned, with pointed ears. Carried a crude club... and it managed to bite me leaving a nasty wound." He gestured towards his bandaged leg. "But it wasn't heavily armed. No armour, just tattered leather. They seemed more equipped for speed and stealth than for a direct assault. Like... scouts."

Julia and Edward chimed in with similar details, except the group they took out was a total of eight goblins. As Julia and Edward found the goblins first, they managed to launch a surprise attack, allowing them to take the advantage and wipe out majority of the goblins. Only one managed to escape during the battle, which they tried to track and that's when they found William.

Oswald and Lucas exchanged a grim look. "Scouts," Oswald repeated, his voice heavy with foreboding. "That's what I feared."

"It confirms our suspicions," Lucas added, his brow furrowed with worry. "The Dark Legion is probing our defences, testing our strength. They're planning something."

"An invasion?" William asked, the word catching in his throat.

Oswald nodded, his expression sombre. "It's the only logical conclusion. Sharwood is a strategic location, controlling access to the eastern passes. If they take this town, the road to the capital lies open."

"We're well-defended," Lucas said, though his voice lacked conviction. "We have a strong garrison, sturdy walls, and the support of the Adventurers Guild. But..."