It is nearly midday when you finish sorting through the bandits  gear and disposing of the bodies.   Svetlana and Imira had went into the kitchen is a bit ago in order to prepare lunch the two tied and trussed bandits are cooling their heels in the shade of the stables.

Oleg has been watching the ongoing activities as he chimes in offering to buy additional gear from the party to restock his trading post and then you can put the funds into ordering or give you credit at the trading post at the mention of Bokken possibly being involved with the bandits....
Honestly boken is a bit eccentric he talks a lot of nonsense provincially goes on about his brother or step brother or someone he’s related to that did him wrong... Well Tauron I can order stuff but it takes a couple weeks to arrive if the weather allows it”


As lunch is being served a caravan arrives at Oleg’s gates....
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:37, Sat 24 Mar 2018.

This time Raz is wandering around strumming on a lyre. He is plucking the strings idly when the caravan arrives. Curious he wanders on over to get a good viewing point for the new arrivals.

Octavia as the day began to fly by had time to think about all that had happened. The battle, Gorum, the girl Imira and the death of her own parents many years ago weighed heavy on her mind. Finally, Octavia spoke up to the girl. “I've changed my mind. If it is your wish, you may ride and travel with us, if the rest of the crew have no objection....” Octavia then looked at her, as if viewing a younger sister. "Try not to get yourself killed."

At the sound of the caravan arriving Octavia hesitantly went to see who was coming in time for lunch.

Imira looks thoughtful for a few moments
”Octavia you are kind to me.  I will have to commune with the spirits of this land, check the portents of the starts.  It will take me time to rest; and my vision is not yet clear that Oleg’s fort is safe.  If Oleg’s falls so soon in your quest it will become much more difficult.”


She looks pleading at you
”Your quest has begun, I am not yet ready...Soon I will sleep perhaps for days.”

For her strength and magic the girl has to have time to recover, she is totally exhausted/fatigued and has been going in slow motion the whole time...

***********************
The wagontrain consist of two wagons one has an open bed appears to be full of wooden crates boxes and lots of lumber; the other is a covered wagon. You see two men steering each wagon and you see eight men walking alongside the wagons.

”Howdy Doodey” calls out Oleg to the man driving Athe lead wagon. He steers the wagon in close to the open gates of Olegs as he can get preparing it looks like to partially turn around and unload the lumber.
Perception DC 12

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)

The lead horse is favoring his right foreleg; it appears he had thrown a shoe and if you have knowledge nature or handle animal DC 12 it is likely the horse will be put down

---

Suddenly the huge pot of stew and loaves of bread turning stale make sense, the convoy had been delayed....
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:10, Sat 24 Mar 2018.

Silas moves to greet the convoy and catches sight of the horse and it's missing shoe. He asks Oleg, "Do you have any spare horseshoes? I might be able to help with the horse if we have the right gear to prevent further injuries. If not, I fear that steed will have to be put down."

Drezdhl had finished setting up a picket line for the horses outside the fort so that they could graze. He was satisfied with the mount he had chosen and was looking forward to getting out into the wilderness. He had arrived here on foot now he was riding.  Things were looking up.

Svetland had rung the dinner bell to announce lunch a few minutes ago.  He arrived at the gate about the same time the first wagon rolled to a stop.

"Ho.  Wagon master. You're lead horse has hurt it's front leg. You should tend to it soon.", Grezghl said in passing.  He continued on to the tables for lunch.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:00, Sun 25 Mar 2018.

Tatyana had watched the approach of the caravan from the south-western tower and noted the hobbling horse. While she believed she had nothing to fear from any of these new arrivals, she wondered at Imira and how the men might react to seeing her. She decided to head down and stay between the caravan-hands and the girl.

And made certain her blade was not peace-tied as she went down the stairs.

Filarion was hungry after the hardwork of dragging the bodies and burning them. As the caravan came in he thought the horse walked oddly, but, having no knowledge of the things of horse flesh, he didn't think anything of it. This caravan had nothing to do with him, so he sat down to eat unless specifically asked, he was a visitor to this old fort anyway. If asked he happily gets up and helps.

Raz finds a nice comfortable barrel to sit on and pluck at his lyre as he watches the caravan roll in and the rest of the group rush in to help. He continues to pluck and play, every so often taking the time to fiddle with it as if it was out of tune.

Tauron goes over and has a look at the horse to see if he can help fix the problem.

OOC:
22:43, Today: Tauron Alphmellon rolled 23 using 1d20+6 with rolls of 17.  Handle animal.

The man leading the wagons sets about barking orders.  The horses are unhitched and brought to the stables.  The men then go about the task of unloading the wagons.  Those concerned for the horse can help you realize it is most likely in need of rest..


Svetlana:
”How about we bring the bandits.., er men in from outside and get them a meal and see about cleaning them up?”
Oleg mumbles under his breath..
”Don’t get them too clean, I got eight hours of work to get out of them today!”

In short order the bandits are stripped down; Imira creates water over them as Svetlana offers each of them a half bar of soap.  They wash clothes and all.  In the midday sun they dry in a short while.

Soon they are eating heartily from the stew...
Oleg gives them a loaf of stale bread and water....

The men outside are still unloading lumber, as you can hear it being stacked against the outside wall....

The men (Tomas and Oliver) are wearing thread bare clothing roughly patched in several places. It's a bit sweat stained from the leather armor they were wearing. Both of their hair is shaggy and in need of a cut.

"I dun know how many of us there are we come and go, sometimes there's four at Kressle's camp, sometimes twenty. She's our boss, but her boss is a lunatic named the Stag Lord. I've only been to his fort way down south once, I couldn't find it again if I tried. Wouldn't want to if I did."He keeps rambling on, answering the questions in detail that had been previously put to  him, "Our camps about ten hours on horseback straight across the plains and through the forest. If you hit the river just travel along it to the crossing where our camp is at."

He draws a map in the dirt showing some of the terrain on the way to the camp and the river he spoke of, along with an x for the camp. It's 1 hex of plains, 1 of forest, and just a bit into the next one.

"I don't know nothing about the Stag Lord other then he's a powerful drunk. I could smell him the liquor on him from fifteen feet away. Not too right in the head either. I saw him punch a horse for spittin' in the fort. Happs told me he beat a man senseless for takin' a sip from bottle of whiskey. Ain't got no face either, just a helmet made from animal skulls with a pair of great antlers."

"I promise I don't know anymore, I only saw him once when Kressle dragged me down there with a load of goods. Our...I mean.. the bandit camp. I don't want no business with that anymore. I just wanna hunt deer; Kressle's a thief and a killer through and through. She's got no qualms about stringin' a man up for trying to lay their hands on her. Cept for Happs who she's a little sweet on."
"There's two watch towers 'bout twenty feet up a tree on the west side of camp and the east side. We just got a clearing with a big bonfire that we setup tents and bed rolls around.  Happs...he usually he...he would take an extra day to get back to camp. To kinda celebrate...you know...let us relax on the way back."

Oleg shakes hands with you all
”Thank you for your aid.  Consider this to be your home base or operations center as you explore.  I would like you to update a map here as you make each return trip; if that’s agreeable: and to know your planned routes and times to return.”

He offers you a collection of 3 potions: cure light wounds, magic weapon and hide from animals....

Raz considers the information and composes a couple little limericks to accompany his plucking at his lyre.

"There once was a man name Happ
Who came to Oleg's to scrap
But arrow did fly
And he caught one in the eye
And the heroes did call it a wrap.


There once was a lady named Kressel
In the woods she had a camp to nestle
The heroes shot from the bush
And hit her right in the tush
And now with the worm she will wrestle."


He started to grin but then frowned as he plucked the wrong note and gave an accusatory glare at his instrument. With a grumble he tossed it over his shoulder where it faded into magic motes and then wisped away with the wind.

"Alright then. I suppose we should hit them where it hurts as quickly as possible before they realize something is up. We can go in and scout them out and if there's only a few hit them hard and if there is too many prepare an ambush along the way between their camp and Oleg's and knock out another group."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:01, Mon 26 Mar 2018.

Tauron adds.
From what I understand the bandit group is not expected to return today so we can rest and be at full strength for the fight.

Tatyana nods to Oleg. "Aye, I'll put charcoal to parchment while we do what we do, and give you a fine rendition to add to your maps when we return," she smiled.

Listening to Raz and Tauron, she nods in agreement. "Scout them then route them, and mop up the stragglers in their turn."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:19, Tue 27 Mar 2018.

Raz throws a wink and a grin at the rogue.

"A lady after mine own heart."

He cleared his throat and resumed plucking on his lyre composing another tune.

"We are Brevoy's Bastions
A drunken cavalry!
We cannot march, we cannot ride
What wretched knights are we!

But when we sense the enemy
Our heads get very clear
We'll head straight for that bandit camp
And liberate their gear!"

Oleg:
“Just you wait till old Doody gets in here he’ll break out his banjo!”

Imira notes the singing, Picks at her stew, eating a few bites here and there.  She considers The shrunken head in a jar as if looking for it to speak words or give her answers to her questions...  The raven, Tengu sits on her shoulder waiting for pieces of meat.
Octavia sits by her glancing at her from time to time.  It seems that perhaps history has caught up with the cleric and she has been thinking too much of the past.  What if this girl could tell her where to find the bandit that murdered her parents?

*********
No one is certain the horse is going to be ok or not; too hard to tell

 Those of you were outside or quickly brought over to help it seems that someone has ordered a blacksmith forge in amble and although it is crated it is way too heavy for most of the porters to handle....

You also notice four men one obviously in charge of the others and all of them apparently caravan guards or men at arms
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:33, Tue 27 Mar 2018.

Silas nods at the captives claims and says, "I only have one final question, when you went to the Stag Lord's Fort, were there any secret words shared or anything special you had to say or do so that they would know you were with him?"

The two bandits look back and forth to each other.
"No sir! Not know to us, but it seems like the main leaders might know it, the ones with the rank...er the stag's head necklace; all bandits are to heed orders by one who has rank."

Those outside.....
Along with the caravan you spot a sergeant with three young men barely out of basic training you gather from the looks of them…they are armed and wearing armor.

Now those inside....
The man comes in for Svetlanas stew, and introduces himself to Oleg. ”I am Kesten Garess, these men are under my command and I have been charged with defense of this outpost."   He presents an official letter from the Swordlords of Restov..

DC 20 Knowledge (nobility)

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
you seem to recall the scandal when an affair between Kesten and a lowborn woman named Tania, a weaver’s daughter, became public knowledge. His father Evan, a cousin of the Garess family patriarch, disowned Kesten, who fled to Restov to serve as a mercenary.

---

Imira looks over the men once as she continues to stare into the jar with the shrunken head.
Finally she looks up and says.  "I have seen a vision, a priest comes directed by Erastil to seek and restore a temple lost in the wilderness and in need of bringing forth once more.  I see it blocked by brambles and a great beast hidden within."

Tatyana's ears perk up and twitch at Imira's revelation. "A temple lost in the wilderness, you say? Can you recall anything of its surroundings, outside the brambles?" It doesn't take a genius to figure out that Tatyana apparently loves tales of lore and forgotten places.

"Erastil, eh? Have to keep my eyes open for that ..."

In reply to Tatyana Dec'lan (msg # 163):

Drezghl grunted in agreement.

"I like your idea.  It would be best to begin as soon as we can.  They will expect Happs to return in two days.  When he does not arrive on time, Kressel will become suspicious and alert."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:45, Thu 29 Mar 2018.

Imira looks at Tatyana and listens to her question
“I do not see it clearly, it is not meant for me, but for the priest who draws nigh and will arrive this very night.”
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:58, Thu 29 Mar 2018.

Tauron looks over at Imira.
But the question you not answered is the priest coming good for the people of this land or not.  Would it be good or ill that the temple is found again?
Not everything that lost should be found.  This much my reading has taught me.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:08, Thu 29 Mar 2018.

Working the lumber off, the elf notices the new guardsmen. Curious and getting a water break, he overhears the Captain's proclamation and furrows his brow. He'd heard that name before.

Suddenly it comes to him and he doesn't say anything. Better that information not get out.

Imiria shrugs and answers
“I believe Tauron that answer depends upon your relationship with Erastil.”

In reply to The Spirit of the Land (msg # 173):

Silas had been quietly considering what the witch had said and after a while responded, "The bandits must be dealt with first, but I would very much like to help find and restore this temple of Erastil. It would be a great boon to our budding community."