Players begin on a caravan out of Kanara.

The stars are dancing tonight. It is a colorful cascade of bursts and lines flashing across the sky above. It used to be that this would occur once a month, but since the arrival of the new moon, it has been occurring every night. Some of you may idly wonder why this is, others may feel their religion challenged by such heavenly events.

You are all riding in the back of a wooden wagon. The caravan master, Bolg - a hoblin - rides at the front, steering the horses. You are making a push to reach Calau despite the night, as you are very close.

Your ultimate destination is Calau, a Kanaran city bordering the Khesiid Desert. You all have your own reasons for going there, but it is a good choice for a refugee. It is well connected, and as a Kavisii trade hub, it can give easy transportation to pretty much anywhere inland - assuming you have the Zenit.

As the players approach Calau, they will be beset by Claug forces, who are laying siege to the city. The players may choose to make a break for the gates, or fight off the Claug soldiers.

If they reach the gate, they will be let in as the patrol backs off.

The commander of the patrol returns to Abel Hyte to give his report.

On a cliff-side overlooking Calau, a tall woman in magitech armor stands at a war table, lost in thought. Behind her, a patrol captain approaches timidly. Before he can open his mouth, he speaks.

“You allowed another caravan to enter Calau?”

He shivers. “Yes, ma'am. They were… stronger than we expected.”

“Our technology is superior. Our strategy is superior. What possible excuse could you have for such failure?”

Insert something terrifying one of the players did here as the captain's response.

“I see. And so you have allowed this city to strengthen its numbers even more? Begone.”

She scurries off.

She approaches a pulsing magitech canister of swirling red liquid. As she speaks, it casts an eerie glow on her face.

“I will prove myself to you, lord Hyte. Do not worry. Calau will be mine.”

The players are greeted at the gate by Frida Meier, the captain of Calau's guard. She will thank them and remark on their combat prowess. She is a tough young woman who is nevertheless buckling under the pressure of Claug's siege.

She is looking for help breaking the siege, and will attempt to enlist the player's help

Calau does not have the resources to mount a full-on counterattack. As far as they know, the rest of the kingdom either does not care or is preoccupied with the famine and plague.

Frida wants to gather intel on the Claug's plans, but she's open to hearing the player's opinions.

“You are refugees, I take it? Well, I'm afraid you've chosen a piss-poor time to arrive. We are under siege, and Claug forces have completely shut off the airspace. You're lucky we even opened the gates for you.”

“You seem to be able to handle yourselves well!”