It takes a full forty minutes for the rain to properly strengthen at Freya's spell. The cooling combined with wind and torrential rain sets fog across the Elsir Vale in the area, cutting visibility down even further, until you can barely see a few hundred feet at most (and even then only when not looking directly into the wind). It's a thoroughly unpleasant experience riding in the rain, with fat chill globules splattering at any exposed skin. The speed of your steeds only makes it worse, even if there's a small comfort that the Red Hand will also be enduring this.

Following Aetus' direction you head towards the closest set of scouts he detected, though they're gone by the time you arrive. Even with the rain Aetus is able to locate tracks however, confirming they're mounted. It sends you in a bit of a zig-zag direction rather than meeting them directly, but after an hour of searching you spot figures through the gloom and pouring water. The downside - they spot you too. While phantom steeds may only be quasi-real, they're as visible as any real horse, and even as you react to their sudden appearance, the mounted hobgoblin scouts do the same.

Spoiler: OOC/Map
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It takes an hour to locate the scouts. During that time Freya can complete two more weather adjustments and begin work on a third, if she so chooses.



You guys are about on the maximum range of sight - roughly 300'. Beyond that distance you have to guess where they end up, because there's no chance you can hear them over the rain. Turns out hunting for people in torrential rain has its downsides beyond distinct lack of comfort.

Turn order: Freya->Enemies->Everyone.