Isn't it customary to divide the spoils?  I have little use of the sword or crossbow, but I would claim my portion of what is in that sack.

The merchant elbows the guard who frowns, then tosses you the pouch.

Then they start away.

Rewards:
1 coin purse
14cp
38sp
25xp

Well met, and safer travels to you!

Saran takes a short rest (regaining spell slot by arcane recovery).  While waiting for any sign from or return of familiar.

After about 10 min the raven comes back. Do you do your rest on the road? Do you do anything non strenuous? What do you do after the rest?

What time is it?  How much further to my destination?

A couple days.

The raven is ready to lead you back to the bandit hide out.

To the bandit hideout then!

But I think it probably is wise to get that spell slot back first...

Ok, you sit in the middle of the road for an hour studying your spellbook. It is uneventful. You see the other bandit in the grass just off the road near some trees. One of his boots are off.

About 10 minutes into your rest the raven comes back and after you regain your spell slot, you head to the pirate’s bandit’s cave hideout.

It is a small, dilapidated cottage that is slowly being reclaimed by the forest.

How small?  If I cast sleep in the middle of the cottage do I stand a chance of getting everyone in there.

Now that I'm looking at the sleep spell it says everyone within 20' of a point I choose is potentially affected.  So that's a 40' diameter circle.  I think I was thinking about this wrong in the earlier encounter.  The one bandit was 30' from the wagon and the other was 10', so maybe I could have tried to get all 4 of them asleep, if you were describing distance from the center of the wagon.

Also I was wondering if I could retcon and get a bedroll and rope as supplies before I left town.

Nope. Too late.

I assumed that you placed the sleep spell where it would only affect the bandit off to the side and not anyone else.

The cottage is 10' x 10'.

Yes, that is where I put the other sleep spell.  I was just wondering if I should have put it somewhere else, but it worked out anyway.

Saran positions himself off to the side of the cottage at about 30'.  Raven sits out in front somewhere, preferablly perched on a tree, where he can see inside the front door.  Saran casts sleep in the middle of the cottage (rolled 23).  Then casts mage hand to open the front door (if unlocked).  Then waits a sec.  Then casts minor illusion at point of door: auditory illusion that says, "that was too close!"  Then sees what Raven sees.

Trying to think of a name for Raven that isn't Edgar or Poe.  Does he come with a name?

Ok, we are in the territory of needing to know how subtle spells are. I am going to go with sleep being very Subtle.

You here the *floomp*. Then you mage hand and then minor illusion.

So, I am going to need you to make a deception or performance check if you are trying to impersonate the bandit, that you did not hear in the first encounter.

Deception or performance check: 18

Actually, you know what, there is actually no response. You see a man sleeping on the floor.

I rolled 1 dice too many for his hp.

You see a guy asleep on the floor.

Spot flies in and has a look around.  Anything worth entering for?  Anything to restrain the bandit with?

You see a mess kit (spoon, dish, shallow tin mug) on the table with what looks like some gruel was recently eaten out of it. You see some rope. A couple mattresses with blankets and pillows. Cupboards, some with broken doors. A footlocker/hope chest at the bottom of a broken up bed. Fireplace with poker set. Uh... couple chairs. Wash basin. Bandit with studded leather, short sword, light crossbow. Travel clothes.

Saran runs in and ties up the bandit.  Spot flies out to stand watch and make noise if anyone approaches.  If there is time Saran takes up the crossbow and points it at the bandit, ready action to shoot if he tries anything, otherwise ready firebolt.  When the bandit wakes up Saran says, "Hello Bandit. I'm sorry to report that your counterpart has been killed; not my doing. What will you do now?"

Uh, gather my things and go and report myself to the authorities.

Very honorable. If you'd rather wait here I can report your location to the authorities. Would you hear alternative plans?"

OK...

Ok, well, first tell me a little bit about yourself. I have to know if I can trust you. Are you the type of person to stab a man in the back? How long have you been in the bandit business?
 How is business these days? Have you ever plied an honest trade? How much do you know about these woods?"

Basically Saran tries to get him talking a bit so he can decide what he should do with him, what he's about and if he can be at all trusted. Insight check: 2 (natural 1, dang it!).

"Look, you can't trust me, I can't trust you. All I want is to gather up my things and leave. Look, we can even split the loot."

He gestures toward the footlocker.

"You can take my now deceased partner's cut. That seems fair, don't it?"

He seems believable.

Fair enough, Fair enough

Saran opens the footlocker with mage hand while keeping an eye/bead on the bandit (is Saran pointing the crossbow at the bandit?)