Joffery continued to ride, heading toward the fort as fast as he could.

Goldheart looked to Tok, sizing him up and knowing what he's capable of. "As guard captain, its my job to tell citizens not to get involved. As a man that doesn't want to see friends and family die...Just don't tell the king I gave you permission." He stated. "So get ready quickly boy, this won't be an easy fight."

The throne room was currently only filled with those allowed to be there. Two knights of the crown, an elf and a dwarf specifically, as well as Astar's personal assistant/advisor, an older gnoll woman known as Mythera the wise. She wore a leather tunic over a purple dress lined with a darker purple, trailing down to her legs and splitting to allow more mobility. As she was dressed, it was clear she was also capable of defending herself in the event of an attempted assassination of the king. "Ah, greetings Astar!" She spoke as he finished his yawn. "I have already shooed off two meetings of little importance, leaving us with five more currently scheduled." Her rough and higher pitched voice relaying to him.

Tok paused surprised by that, but helping the guard is a good way to be hired by them as he saluted "Yes sir!" and went to arm himself...with leather armor since he didn't really need any kind of weapon.

(I mean when you can bench press a tree...a sword feels kind of redundant XD)

(Redundant but faster and more practical lol)

Astar's eyes seemed to glaze over after about the second meeting was listed, the low buzzing in his ears drowning out Mythera's words. He nodded quietly nonetheless, trying to concentrate, but finding himself unable to. "I guess we should start, then," he said quietly, walking to his throne. He had yet to realize he hadn't put on his crown today.

"Right, warn towns, good idea," Olivia said, before urging her horse onwards. She wondered if she'd get to fight a troll.

"Hmm?" Astar looked up, before moving his hand to the top of his head. "Oh. Ha. Yes please, Myphera," he said, smiling a bit.

(How long has she known him?)

(I’m just curious if she would’ve seen his shift to the shell of himself he is today)

(Trolls can also do that, many trolls in games use trees as weapons and these are no exception)
"Alright, if everyone's ready, we're marching out now! Stay alert, and stick together! Those trolls can tear you limb from limb if if they get their hands on you!" Goldheart stated before the unit began its march toward the forest. Most of the guard seemed nervous or anxious, as trolls hadn't been seen or fought for 50 years. Very few among the guard had even seen a troll before.

"Right." Mythera did not react at all to the lazed words of her king, well used to it now. She retrieved his crown and offered it to him with a smile. "Here you are my liege."

"If you're ready, I shall go retrieve the first group." Mythera stated as she made her way to the doors.

(A fair point)

Tok nodded and stuck around. He had one or two tricks up his sleeve but perhaps he could fight back with power.

Astar paused, trying to remember which mayor was being reprimanded today, but he had no earthly idea. He decided to stay on neutral ground, as he always did. All he could do really. "Welcome. Rise and speak your business."

As the guard force reached the source of the sound, they saw exactly what it was. An entire legion of trolls, maybe more, armored and wielding massive weapons. Each troll stood anywhere from 9 to 13 feet tall, their massive green bodies blending well with the leaves but not hidden at all among the woods. The trolls were marching toward the town, eyes locking as they came face to face with the guard Tok stood among. The head troll, looking no more a leader than any other troll, pointed at them and shouted something in the language of giants.

"Everyone, ready!" Goldheart shouted. "Rangers and mages fire now, close combats let them come closer then meet them in the middle! Remember, fire is vital mages!"

And so, the mayor began detailing his long and complicated plan for a park that makes use of water crystals in the summer to provide a fun option for children, especially those with nowhere to go.

"So-" the mayor stopped, taking a moment to fully recognize what Astar said during his detailing of the project itself. "Ah, well that depends on the location I'm alloted for the work and how many I make. If we assume two acres and five entertainment structures, it would be an investment of around 40,000 gold.

40k gold wasn't an immense request, but it was far from pocket change even for the largest and most lucrative kingdom on the continent.