Utterly Decimated

Or rather, a fleeing force crashing toward them was!

Barely an hour had passed since their departure from Grimstone Keep when an army of ragtag barbarians—armor-clad and wearing mismatched scraps similar to their own—suddenly surged forward, blocking their way. In stark contrast to their own depleted regiment, missing 40% of its numbers, this mob was massive.

Sadly, by the time they encountered this half-giant horde, it was already the least of their worries...

Indeed, a few minutes before they could see this oncoming storm with their own eyes, they had first felt the earth beneath them tremble, sending waves of panic through the undisciplined conscripts straggling along, often three to five in a row.

The thing is their procession, stretching out like an endless serpent, was particularly vulnerable to ambushes... and other mishaps.

Such as the perils of the very landscape itself.