The following three encounters were proposed as an alternative start to the first Scales of War module Rescue at Rivenroar as well.
Encounter 1 - Wake up Call (600xp total)
1 Gray Wolf (Level 2 Skirmisher)
1 Hobgoblin Mercenary (Level 2 Soldier)
4 Goblin Cutter (Level 1 Minion)
2 Goblin Sharpshooter (Level 2 Artillery)
Put the encounter in a street. The Sharpshooters should be around the corner so they can start hidden. The wolf and hobgoblin in the middle of the street and the Cutters scattered about with torches in their hands (which they should drop to fight the PCs at the hobgoblin's order).
Encounter 2 - Rescue the Guards (900xp total)
2 Hobgoblin Mercenary (Level 2 Soldier)
1 Hobgoblin Warcaster (Level 3 Controller, Leader)
8 Hobgoblin Grunt (Level 3 Minion)
2 Goblin Warrior (Level 1 Skirmisher)
When you set it up put friendly guards in among the hobgoblins so that area spells don't just eliminate all the minions. Have 6 guards. Each round a guard should fall, but can be healed by a PC power or saved with a heal check.
Encounter 3 - The Commanders (850xp total)
2 Hobgoblin Archer (Level 3 Artillery)
4 Hobgoblin Grunt (Level 3 Minion)
1 Hobgoblin Subcommander (Level 3 Soldier,Leader)
1 Blue Dragon Wyrmling (Level 4 Elite Artillery)
The Blue Dragon Wyrmling should open with its breath weapon, and then stay at melee until it is bloodied at which point it should flee the fight entirely (if they manage to kill it award an exta 30xp to each PC for a party of 5). The hobgoblins should then act as support for the dragon basically even if the "Subcommander" is in charge ostensibly.
Xp is rounded and tweaked. The Dragon for example is a pretty tough challenge for first level characters, so rather than giving half-xp for getting it bloodied I have given 250xp of the 350xp it is worth. If you want a more reflective xp award you can also have it retreat from melee until it is down to 1/4 of its hp before it flees, the reality is that in an open air environment an intelligent foe like the Dragon really shouldn't stay and fight to death because it simply doesn't have to do so.
