"Well,
I got a story to tell," says Jeb, "and it's about this here forest." Tequila, being largely unfamiliar with this region, shows interest. Alice glances toward Jeb, but says nothing. "Yep, I been drivin' carts around the Nentir Vale for quite a time now, so I've picked up a local legend or two. This one has to do with where the forest got its name, 'Brightmoon'. Folk 'round Harken say that those who enter this forest during a full moon return with some mighty fantastical stories," Jeb raises his bushy eyebrows, his tone showing that he's enjoying putting in some dramatic flair, "
if they return at all." Those of you who look up to the night sky can see that, sure enough, there's a full moon coming in and out of view behind the slowly drifting clouds.

(Knowledge check: 1d20+6+3 = 19) "Hehe, yes, I've heard such stories before. Some
very fantastic tales, indeed. One traveler who got lost in these woods swore that he'd seen a tree that was hundreds of feet tall. That's absurd, of course, obviously we'd be able to see something like that from the road." Jeb smiles warmly. "Well, you might have a point... but just 'cause you don't see something like you think you should don't mean it ain't out there. Them other tales they tell were even more interesting - you hear the one about the yella-colored swamp?" "I- think there was a geography text that postulated a swamp deep in this forest, but nothing about it being
yellow", says Tanya with a slight giggle. Jeb continues, "That's what they say, though! Some merchant a few years back told that story,
and apparently had something to show for it. Son of a gun got stinkin' rich selling a whole packful of Queselium." Most of you haven't heard of this "Queselium", and Jeb knows it. "It's miiiighty rare stuff. Never actually seen any myself- heck, don't even rightly know what it
is. All I've heard is it's supposed to be some kinda delicacy in high-class cuisine. Point is, someone arranged an entire
airship journey from Skalgard to trade with the sun-of-a-gun who pulled a bunch of it out of this here forest." "Oooh," says Tequila, "That's an exciting journey, getting from Skalgard to here. Why don't you go looking for some, if you think it would be so good for trading?" Jeb shakes his head. "Nawww, I been mighty tempted, but I reckon it's too risky even for us. Last couple fellers who got that same idea never did come back outta the woods, and they was well-seasoned travelers too. We'll stick to collecting generous fares for the journey
past the forest, for now."
Jeb starts to laugh, but stops short when there's a rustling noise from some nearby bushes. "Wh-what's that?" says Tanya. Alice quickly steps to her feet.
With no other preamble, a man emerges from behind the cover of some shrubbery (which your group had checked about forty minutes ago, but not since then). He is dressed in leather clothing, plus a chainmail vest over his shirt. He also wears a slightly incongruous plate helmet, shaped with a peculiarly oversized protrusion over the nose and mouth. He also carries a shortsword in his right hand, pointing it in the direction of your group. "This is a holdup!" he shouts, almost as soon as you can see him. He's immediately followed by four other men, all dressed in identical armor - with the exception that the two who emerge last from the bushes carry crossbows rather than swords. "Hand over all your valuables, or we'll slaughter the lot of you and
then take your money!"
Jeb looks startled for a moment, but then just smiles. "Five common bandits just strollin' out of the bushes? You boys must not'a ever heard of the Crandel Caravan! You know what to do, fellers!"
Indeed you do - roll for initiative!
(An encounter map will be provided next post.)