Anabasis

Forests were good.
They were a source of wood, food, medicinal herbs and good hiding places.
"Hello forest! Run!" joked the druid of the party.
"You know it doesn't work that way," came an unexpected answer. "We plants prefer to stay put."
The sorceress firebolted the shrub, before anyone could stop him.
The ranger's hound averted catastrophy by peeing on the fire, making it go out.
"Gross," the shrub shook droplets off its leaves.
"I could have used holy water," mumbled the cleric.
That's when a ghost-like figure rose out of the branches.
"Next time, I'll mask as a waterfall!"

In a way, the Rads were predictable. Press everyone to convert (and give their worldly possessions into service of "the cause"), or murder them in their crusade (and take their possessions anyway).
Travelling through the night, you could see the fires burning - non-compliant, looted villages set alight, or camp bonfires celebrating the latest success?
Sometimes you could tell by the sounds... other times... you could not.
The smart option was to not engage.
It might be easy.
Sneak by, while the garrisons sleep in drunken stupor.
Treat locals with respect, but do not see the pleading tears in their eyes.

Another day, another road.
The caravan plods along, at a pace the slowest of them can keep. Unease grips at every soul. Eyes dart back and forth, left, right... Sometimes one of the rear guard turns in their saddle to face backwards.
Everyone knows danger lurks everywhere around them. The question is, what are they facing today. Monsters from the wilds? Rads? Something worse?
The scouts are coming back, foreheads creased with worry.
The leader raises his arm and the wagons stop.
"Form the wagon fort!"
Five officers peel off.
The prayers of the whole Erekari camp go with them.

The village was on the verge of ruin and despair.
"Help us!" there was a woman, braver than most. "Please! My father is ill. Surely you have someone skilled in medicine?"
The adventurers looked at each other.
"What is ailing him?" one of them asked, cautiously.
The woman took them into a house, where an old man laid, only semi-conscious.
Two of the strangers bent over to examine him.
"I'm going to need something to focus this magic," one of them said finally. "A hen?"
"The Rads took them all! Even to the last feather..."
"There are some excrements though..."