The River Voices had valiantly returned from defending the Cradle, but Pavis was in a dire situation with famine and impending troll attacks. You did some brief missions to see allies, and a few folks recovered the blasting wand from the Big Grazing/Robcradle ruins (at the cost of a sable mount that was snatched out from under Idylla by a giant praying mantis). You discussed what to do and learned from a divination by Caernak that the nightmares "were not of the river." Caernak became convinced by the others that you should stay in Pavis most/all of this season to focus on Puzzle Canal and troll defenses, etc.
You made a quick trip into Puzzle Canal on the Grey Eel, negotiating your way through a nasty swarm of mosquitoes (Greyreed was humbled by the experience, losing his cool and smashing the boat against the canal wall). Then you met the river elf outer guard, manned as usual by Spear Lily, who now had advanced to Wood Lord of Aldrya status, a fierce warrior. He said he was given spokeman powers by the elders including Gloompetal, the high priestess of Murthdrya, and his lord Thornbow, the other Wood Lord of the river elves. The elders had discussed the future of the elves and decided that their inner cavern must be forbidden to all non-elves, but they would help the River Voices explore the canal. They added more information to your map, offered food to the river and city in trade for things they need (metal, warriors, magic, etc.), and offered the help of their healers and warriors to the city and river. Spear Lily spoke of specially bred things called Shamblers that they cultivated, and might be able to help the river or city. These things can walk on land, are big and tough, and very good at fighting trolls. The elves could control them. Also, the elves have other plant defenders such as warrior brambles and kraken weeds that might be useful. They said that they have learned from their ancestral spirits that the river elves used to help the river and city with food and plant-warriors, and controlled much of the canal themselves, but that was long ago before the trolls came. Now they were willing to negotiate how that arrangement might be renewed. They have sent some food to the city as a goodwill token and will discuss more with you (Caernak and Blu for the river and city) next time you come. Spear Lily may follow you to circumnavigate the canal and see what this river daughter is.
Back in the fort, you later heard from Blu that the trolls were building up their forces and a strike(s) was anticipated. The trolls did not disappoint you. They came to Wyrmsjaw late that night, with a wave of 10 zombies smashing at the doors, followed by three giant scorpions. A wicked troll ghost possessed Sorex and drove him to fight with Caernak and Ji, who wrestled him down so Blu could banish the ghost. The zombies proved ineffectual at breaking down the door because you used repair spells to keep it secure, so the Zorak Zorani berserkers lurking in the shadows outside the fort came running in, and soon smashed down the door. Ji and Caernak were waiting for them. The berserkers were hewn down mightily by the ironburn of the two warriors' blades, falling in piles of their dead one by one. Ji in particular proved himself in battle more than ever before, and before long even the zombies lay twitching in pieces. The scorpions were the last to come, and they too were smashed apart by a semicircle of warriors. Tison was badly wounded but saved by several quick blows. The battle ended and you had a resounding victory against the trolls that plagued Wyrmsjaw. No loot of interest was found, although one thing learned of interest was that Firshala's defenses did nought for you. Idylla and Elohwyn think that Firshala remains too weak and perhaps angry for her lack of strong worship. They hope that with more recruitment her mood will shift.
You hear the next day that the attack on your fort was one of many assaults, most of them by Zorak Zorani or trollkin/insect/cave troll mobs. No great loss was incurred; all of the attacks were expected and repelled. Ettir's New Teeth network of information proved very useful in warning everyone of the assault and fortifying key positions. A few more minor assaults occur over the next few days here and there, but they make no major progress, show no cohesive plan or intent other than havoc, and your fort is not bothered again. A lot of trolls remain in the Rubble, particularly because more have been coming in under the cover of night from Dagori Inkarth and the hills around it. What the trolls have been doing, no one is sure, but they have been busy in the Rubble at night (many drums and other sounds), and eerily quiet during the day.