As you walk through Azamire, the town is abuzz with nervous energy. Several wagons are lined up and everyone who isn't fighting have come out to wish you well. Hapren approaches, and mentions that the town has gotten together and prepared some combat supplies into the back of one of the carts for you, and hopes that it helps. You all set off, and as the sun begins to set, the cold mist of the thicket starts to seep into your clothes. The militia is tense, but ready. There are people to save, and taking out the Ringleader would go a long way towards making everyone safer.

As you finish your conversation, the fortress's outer wall comes into view. Gloob and small group of the militia break off and head for the tunnel while the rest of you set up on the hillside just outside. Several braziers are set up, and everyone starts to load them with wood while you and Companion Name get to work.

Alarms start to sound as the militia's arrows are lit. You clutch your weapon in anticipation, wishing you could to go check on the tunnel to see how Gloob's breakout went, but there's no time. The hillside is lit up with the fires you and Companion Name started, and hobgolbins on the wall begin to shoot towards you. But it's too late. Burning arrow after arrow soar up and over the wall, towards where you pointed out the stockpile. No one can see over the wall, so it's tough to tell if anyone is on target until a resounding BOOM make you cover your ears, even from this far away. Many of the defenders are thrown from the wall entirely, and as you and the militia charge, the swordsmen dispatch the stunned hobgolbins that fell on the wrong side of the wall. Arrows start to fall again, as the fort's guards gather themselves, and they're met with your militia's own volleys.

You and Companion Name reach the gate first and take out your axes, followed by a small group of other militia members who follow suit and get to work. Another group comes with large shields that they hold with both hands, more table than shield. But they work well as the shield group form a defensive shell around you and overhead, giving you room to work without worrying about an arrow finding its way in your unprotected back.

The occasional pained grunt, or worse, the painted gurgles of someone who was struck somewhere lethal, dampen your mood. You knew people would fall today. You can only imagine how the people on the hillside are faring. Just as your mind starts to lose focus, thinking about those you'd lose, you see a burning light at the end of your axe. As you pull it back, you realize you're through! You give a cheer that turns into a battlecry, and your group follows suit. A few more axe strikes and enough holes are opened to let Azamire's troops push through the gate. The fort grounds are... hellish. Most of the ent guardians already crawl on the ground, crying out with groaning wails as they burn, with nearly every structure already completely engulfed in flames. You wonder for a moment if there's even a point of being inside until a massive blue Golbin covered in singed fabric cries out as he locks eyes with you. The rest of the fort's surviving defenders stand in the middle of the blazing stronghold with the Ringleader, smashing weapons against their shields, waiting for orders.

Not a single person falters as they stream past you, charging with weapons and heads held high. You don't turn away as you see some being driven through as the Ringleader's forces crash into your own. Time slows as you push through, trusting your people to keep you safe. As you make it through the bodies, the Ringleader stands with a gnarled smirk, holding what must be half a burning tree as its weapon, seemingly unbothered by the flames that flicker up its arm. You hear people roar in the battle behind you, some in victory, others... likely as their last act of defiance against the opposing force. You steel yourself and step forward, challenging the Ringleader.

Before you lies the broken body of the Ringleader, sickly purple blood spilling from his wounds. You finally spare a glance to those around you, and you realize... it's over. Less than half the attacking force remains, but Azamire's people still stand. Gloob stands among the militia, deep green body covered in the blue blood of hobgolbins, and he lets out a cheer, one that the remaining militia proudly meet. Jass barks out orders, pointing out wounded with the stump of her arm, then starting to pull one of the wounded towards the gate with her other. Half a dozen emotions cross Companion Name's face the second you look at them, but most among them all, relief. They embrace you for naught but a moment before heading towards the Ringleader, who barely manages a ragged breath. As you approach, the beast lets out a throaty cackle before it devolves into a choking cough. You ask it two questions. Where did the shipments go, and who are the people it works for? He just sits and smirks, the flames of his burning fortress dancing in his eyes. "They'll come back soon."