Timin nods.  "Good, good.  I've have them sent over."   And sure to his word, and couple young men find the party outside the sheriff's office.  "I'm Joe, and this is Ricky."  They were young, but not too green.  Both in leather, with short swords, short bows and a quiver of arrows. "Sheriff said you were going after the bandits.  We wanted to help, They think they are hiding in a grove not far from town."

It is early afternoon, the sun is warm and the weather is clear.

"Then your portion is our portion," Ärchönia welcomed them. "Have you been to this bosk?"


This message was last edited by the player at 11:21, Fri 16 Apr 2021.

 Falis eyes the young men up and down, then gives them an optimistic grunt.  They would do nicely!  "Well met, Joe, Ricky."  Her tone is even and welcoming, indicating that she does indeed believe in their talents.  She adjusts a strap or two, and follows them when they are ready.

"Agreed! You're help will be invaluable! Please, lead the way. Then, once we have them, I'm sure there will be plenty of work for your bows to do." Garett grins as he regards the two youths. Had he ever looked that green? He tried not to think about how recent that would have been. He made one last inspection of his own weapons and armor, then joined the group in heading towards the suspected hiding place for their target.

Joe and Ricky look at each other.  "What's a bosk?"</blueL Joe asks.

Joe then gestures behind him. <Blue>"This way." And starts off out of town to the east. "It's not a far walk.  About an hour on the road."  They march the road uneventfully, passing few fields and some farm houses.

They they start off into the woods on the south side of the road. It is late afternoon, and the clouds are beginning to thicken.   The trees start to thin, and he says.  "Should just be over this rise."

At that news Garett nods his head and lowers the visor of his helmet with an audible clack. Then he draws forth his sword and adjusts his grip upon his shield. "Very well. Let us see what we shall see."

He will try to approach the area with some semblance of stealth and peek around the trunk of a tree at where the bandits are supposed to be. His goal is to count how many there are and locate their camp, signs of fortifications, and how man archers the group has.

Zorbon readies his mace and shield as Garett peeks ahead.

Surprised a bit by the question, Ärchönia replies to Joe, "It's a boscage, of course."

She enjoyed the walk, having travelled far to arrive here in the first place. She looked at everything as if it was new, and imagined fantastic beasts of all sorts might come from the far houses, but of course, none did. The clouds began to grow and perhaps that was the scent of ozone? "A downpour would be fair," she said, eyes shining. "Perhaps more difficult a task, but the verses to be made!"

Ärchönia had her sleep spell ready, should the scouting suggest its use, but until then, she looked to the sky, watching the clouds.

Garett stares over the rise, a small copse of trees is beyond, it is probably 150 feet across.   To the west, a picket of horses, two large draft, a pair of shaggy ponies, and a couple of riding horses.  One of the larger trees has a tent at its base, the smoke coming up getting dispersed by the branches, next to it, a wagon and cart covered in tarps.  Two more tents are there, one larger than the other.  Two men stand watch, each in leather with long bows.  There are two men tied to one of the trees to the east.   Three men sit around a fire, they occasionally gesture at the two prisoners, each has a shortsword on their belts.

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Ärchönia considers what Garett shares, and asks the others, "My enchantment can put either the three at fire to slumbering, or the two with bows to Nod. Would you prefer three swordsmen or two archers be left to engage in combat most mortal?"

She had little preference as to which it would be. If their own group had many missile weapons, then the swordsmen might be preferable to face. If they did not, then perhaps the archers would be better to fight. But she left that tactical decision to the ones who would actually be charging.

 To Joe and Ricky, Falis says, "She's talking about woodlands."

 She then carefully readies her axe.  "I'd prefer the archers be put down, first, personally... or at least someone sneak up behind them and cut their bowstrings.  Or throats." She sucks her teeth and then bites her lip.  She looks to the others, as if to ask their takes on the matter.  "The sneaking proposition might not be the easiest, with all this rain... rain pattering against metal, and all that.  To say nothing of squelchy footsteps."
This message was last edited by the player at 08:06, Sun 25 Apr 2021.

Garett nods his head at Falis' plan. "Agreed."

He looks over at Archonia. "Take out the two guards, please. Then we'll charge in and surprise the three around the fire. I expect that there will be at least one more person coming out from those tents, but if we keep the momentum up we should be alright."

He looked over at the rest of the group. "Ready?"

"The upcoming clamor of battle! Marvelous! When you give your wild ululation, the Amaranthine Doxy will send the Sandman calling," she confirmed to the others. Whether it was a cry or not, when Garrett or Falis gave the signal, she cast her spell on the archers.


(ooc)
Archonia rolled 5,12 using 2d8,4d4 ((4,1,2,2,4,4)).
So, 5 HD would be affected for 12 turns if she succeeds in casting her spell.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:11, Tue 27 Apr 2021.

Zorbon is ready to charge in as soon as the two archers fall. (Actually, he's ready to charge, either way.)

"What do we do?" Joe asks.

 Falis, eyeing her other companions as if to confirm readiness to engage or not, says to Joe and Ricky, "Why don't the two of you fire those bows of yours on anyone who comes charging our way?" The warrior holds her axe at the ready, in both hands.

Joe and Ricky nod, checking their bowstrings, they nock an arrow, and make sure the others are arrows are easily grabbed.

The two guards are about 100 feet away, well within the reach of Archonia's spellweaving.  The lady summons her magics and the two guards collapse to their knees, then fall over.

One of the men around the fire, stands then points and shouts.  He pushes the other two to their feet.  They are prepared, but unsure of what they are preparing for.


actions?

Garett charges into the clearing shouting his battle cry! "FOR MOE AND JUSTICE!" His sword is held high over his head as his feet carry him towards the trio of men at the campfire. The heavy weight of all of his equipment slows him down, but he keeps gamely on trying to draw as much of the enemy's attention as possible away from his companions, and their weaker armor.

(OOC: I have an encounter speed of 10. So I'm probably not getting very far. However, if it is needed I did roll a five on my attack roll.  Garett rolled 5 using 1d20 with rolls of 5.  Attack Roll if Needed.)

Zorbon runs forward as well trying to stay off to one side so the archers have a clear shot.

 Shaking her backpack off as she charges, Falis runs at her foes, axe in hand.

Without the backpack, Falis moves at 20' per round, so it'll be a spell before she's close enough!

The archers fell. Ärchönia considered casting a sleep at the swordsmen next, but decided against it. It would not due to spoil the excitement her companions were charging towards. So, she kept it in reserve should more opposition come to light.

In the meantime, she stayed as hidden as she could, content to not be involved at this point if it was not necessary, but she brought out her sling so she could still assist if it was needed.

ooc: Bandits win INIT

The campfire bandits split up, two run forward towards the sleeping bowmen, one runs back towards one of the larger tents.

One of the campfire bowmen starts to rouse the two men, the other grabs one of the men's bows, and goes to nock an arrow.

Archonia readies her sling.  Zorbon, Falis and Garett take off running.  Ricky and Joe both loose arrows.  The man that picked up the bow takes an arrow to the throat and keels over.  The other man a body shot that staggers him.  The sleeping bandits start to awaken a bit groggily and will be on their feet next round.

ooc: Actions?

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ooc: Zorbon, Falis run at 60, Garett at 30, Archonia, Ricky, Joe at 90

Zorbon and Falis are 40' from the bandits
Garret 60,
Archonia, 100, long sling range (-1)
Ricky and Joe at 100', medium bow range

"Well, that was disappointing," Ärchönia said to herself, as the two sleeping archers were immediately awoken. She had hoped that they would have had a moment of surprise, or that the bandits would not have immediately thought to do so, but it was not to be. They were not playing fair, she thought, as she tried to knock the one running for tent in the head with a sling stone.

(ooc)
She rolled a 9 with the range penalty, so undoubtedly a miss.

Zorbon runs to the waking guards and tries to knock one unconscious again.

23:50, Today: Zorbon rolled 6 using 1d6+2 with rolls of 4.  mace damage.

23:50, Today: Zorbon rolled 20 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 18.  attack bandit.

11:32, Today: Falis rolled 15,6 using 1d20+2,1d8+2 ((13,4)).
Battle axe on the bandit.

 Falis closes the distance with the bandit that is not getting divine sleep therapy from Zorbon, and swings her mighty axe at them...

Garett grunts at himself in frustration for forgetting to drop his own backpack in the excitement. He stops and does so now. Then lightened by nearly thirty pounds, he resumes his charge towards the swordsmen.

(OOC: Now he can run at 20 ft per round.)

ooc: Bandits win initiative

The running man disappears into the tent.

The archers rise to their feet, but have no time to nock an arrow.  Zorbon and Falis arrive, the men swing groggily, using their bows as staves. but do not cause any injuries.  The man with the arrow in him, swings his sword ineffectively.

Archonia's sling stone vanished into the trees.

Both archers are then killed by Zorbon and Falis. The wounded man remains.

Garett arrives.

Ricky and Joe wait, with arrows nocked.


ooc: Actions?

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ooc: Zorbon, Falis, Garett run at 60, Archonia, Ricky, Joe at 90

Zorbon and Falis and Garret are 50' from the nearest tents

Archonia, 100, long sling range (-1)
Ricky and Joe at 100', medium bow range

"Well, that was promising," Ärchönia said to herself, as the two sleeping archers were immediately slain.

No target presented itself, so she waited to see who would come from the tents.
A large number of bandits would necessitate sleep, but a manageable amount would only require her to use the sling again.


(ooc)
Ärchönia does nothing this round, other than wait to see what happens next. She is too far to do anything else, and is better served to be with the archers at the moment.

 Falis looks at the wounded man with pity and concern.  But, she removes one of her hand axes and waits for anyone to approach from the tent...

"Drop your weapon and stand down and in the name of Moe, you will live," Zorbon commands the wounded foe.

The bandits win initiative.

Everybody roll a separate 1d20

Four bandits flow out of the tent where one went in.  Three bear short swords, the fourth an axe.  They advance on the group.  The wounded man swings at Zorbon, " You'll all be dead soon!" he cries defiantly, narrowly missing.

The other four attack, two on Falis, two on Garett.  even though they wear no armor, and seem barely dressed, their weapons prove accurate.  Falis receives two minor wounds, but ~Garett, is knocked to the ground bleeding profusely.

ooc: 5 bandits remain, one is clutches at the arrow in his midsection, the others are not wearing any armor.

Actions?

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08:28, Today: Falis rolled 13 using 1d20 ((13)).
What do I win?!

 Falis growls and hisses at her injuries, and swings wildly with the small axe in her left hand at the bandit nearest Garett.  But, it's a swing and a miss, and she uses the momentum to just let the weapon sail over Garett's prone form... and catch her battle axe in both hands for a two-handed grip.  For future butcher's work.

08:31, Today: Falis rolled 3,8 using 1d20+2,1d6+2 ((1,6)).
Attacking, and failing to attack, with hand axe in left hand.  As she missed, she will just let it sail and grip her battle axe with both hands.

Zorbon tries to put the wounded bandit out of his misery.


19:36, Today: Zorbon rolled 6 using 1d6+2 with rolls of 4.  mace damage.

19:36, Today: Zorbon rolled 19 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 17.  mace attack.

19:34, Today: Zorbon rolled 6 using 1d20 with rolls of 6.  DM call.

Ärchönia frowns. Despite having been watching and waiting for them to emerge from the tents, they had moved too quickly and she had not gotten her spell off. She looked at the fight below, and it seemed she might be able to target the three furthest attackers without catching her companions in the spell. But perhaps the sling was a safer bet.



(ooc)
If she can target the gbb group on the far side without catching either Falis or Zorbon, then she will cast sleep. But if they are too close, then she fires her sling at a safe target. I rolled dice for both to save time.

Ärchönia rolled 9,8 using 2d8,4d4 (3,6,2,2,2,2).
So, 9 HD would be affected for 8 turns if she succeeds in casting her spell.

Ärchönia rolled 17,1 using 1d20,1d4 (17,1).
So, probably a hit, but only for 1 point of damage.

ooc: Archonia, I need it to be your call.

The spell description is not specificly detailed.  I've always played it as a 'sleep hand grenade'  If you cast it, there is a good chance it will affect the front line fighters.  I will begin at the lowest level creatures, then work its way up until it reaches 9HD.

Zorbon and Falis are currently outnumbered 5-2 (though the bandits are unarmored, they are armed)

As for the sling being a 'safer' bet, there is the chance that you can hit a party member when you shoot into a melee clump.


The turn order is Movement, Missiles, Magic, Melee...

You can also tell Joe and Ricky to do something.

Ärchönia considered. Her companions were greatly outnumbered, and one had fallen, and it did not look like she could use her spell to even the odds safely. Perhaps she should just cast it on all of them. There were good reasons to do so- it might put all of them to sleep and then she and the guides could wake them. And if her companions were sturdier than the bandits, they would be less likely to be affected by the spell to begin with. The only poor scenario would be for them to fall and some of the bandits to remain awake- that would undoubtedly mean that her companions would face certain death.

While she was willing to risk it, she was not certain they would feel the same way. So, she elected to use the sling at this  moment while there were still many more bandits to hit than friends, providing better odds. The spell could wait as they saw how the battle progressed.

She did not give any orders to the archers, as she assumed they were already being active. If they did nothing, then next round she would provide direction.


(ooc)
The metaphor is good- it explodes outwards from where you cast it. But what I meant, and should have been more clear, was a question if she could cast it behind the three, so that when it did branch out, it would not catch her companions in the area that is hit- there has to be a limit to the area, after all. If she is not experienced enough to determine that, or the distance makes it too far to judge, that is fine as well. Since this is my first time playing with you, it will take a bit to understand and adapt to your game style, so please forgive me until then!

I understand her sling could hit someone if used into a melee, but by saying `safer bet', she meant that even if it goes errant, it will be unlikely to leave both of her companions in a state that the enemy can simply dispatch them. So, safer, but not safe. ^_^

There is no concern with the turn order. Ärchönia was ruing over the lost initiative. I apologize if her thoughts are coming across as meta-game passive-aggressive. It is not meant to be. I am still settling into her 'voice' and not having an easy time of it, but that is on me, not anyone else. As a player, I have no complaints at all!

ooc: I have thought about arbitrating number to an area of effect, ie 30'   But it would still be trying to choose a spot in the grass 15' feet away from the melee at a distance of up to 240'.

I put the turn order in partly for my use :)

In LL it definitely seems like initiative plays a major roll, er ah, role.

Joe and Ricky take off running, drawing their swords.

Archonia's sling stone hits one of the bandits.

Falis' blade sails wide.  Zorbon kills the wounded bandit.

Four bandits remain.




ooc: Actions?

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With the sling being successful, she tries again.

(ooc)
She rolled a 7 on the attack, so a miss. (1 for damage if it hits an unintentional target)

Zorbon swings at another bandit, but misses.


21:42, Today: Zorbon rolled 5 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 3.  mace attack.

19:27, Today: Falis rolled 4,7 using 1d20+2,1d8+2 ((2,5)).
Attacking same bandit.

 Falis thrusts at the bandit she attacked just moments ago with the intention of lacerating them, but misses.

The party acts first.

Ricky and Joe arrive.  Archonia's sling stone goes wide, Joe wounds one of the men, Falis, Ricky and Zorbon miss.

One of the bandits hit Falis, the another hits Ricky, the other two miss.

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ooc: Actions?

Zorbon continues to swing at the bandits. It's not good.


22:45, Today: Zorbon rolled 4 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 2.  attack w/mace.

The numbers were now about equal, so Ärchönia considered the sling risky at this point. But if her aim was off, her companions had better armor than the bandits, so perhaps one more throw would not be unwise.

So, she tried her sling one more time, likely the last time for this fight.


(ooc)
13 to hit, 2 for damage if it succeeds.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:02, Thu 27 May 2021.

19:55, Today: Falis rolled 12,8 using 1d20+2,1d8+2 ((10,6)).

Battle axe on the bandit nearest to Garett.

Falis swings her axe again, grunting as her armour absorbs much of the shock of a blow, but not enough to not cause bruising... or pain.

The party goes first.

Archonia's sling stone, dazes one of the bandits.  Falis kills the bandit facing her.  Zorbon and Joe swing wide, Ricky wounds the man facing him.

One of the bandits' weapons glances off Zorbon.  Another misses Ricky, Joe however takes a powerful shot, and falls down bleeding.

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                GJ

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ooc: Actions?

It had not been a good couple of moments, as a guide fell as well. It looked to be the bosk questioner, so perhaps the lesser guide, but still one she would rather keep about. The numbers were still equal, so Ärchönia decided her sling was still a viable option, and whiped another stone at the foe.


(ooc)
14:00, Today: Archonia rolled 19,4 using 1d20,1d4 ((19,4)).

Zorbon continues to melee with the bandits, trying not to let his desperation show as he swings his mace again. This time, though, he makes solid contact.

21:48, Today: Zorbon rolled 8 using 1d6+2 with rolls of 6.  mace damage.

21:48, Today: Zorbon rolled 21 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 19.  Mace attack.

 Falis struggles to remove her axe from the bandit she felled...

16:14, Today: Falis rolled 3,6 using 1d20+2,1d8+2 ((1,4)).

Attacking... what?

 ...and very much fails to attack the remaining bandit on her.  Well, at least she's facing them, now, so that's got to count for something!  Right?

The party proves faster.

Archonia's sling stone downs one of the bandits, and Zorbon solidly brains another.  Falis swings wide.  Ricky misses as well.

The bandit tries to take advantage of the opening, and strikes Falis hard .

           ******
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The lone bandit fights on.

Actions?

Zorbon tries to end this before anybody else gets hurt.

22:08, Today: Zorbon rolled 8 using 1d6+2 with rolls of 6.  damage maybe?

22:08, Today: Zorbon rolled 10 using 1d20+2 with rolls of 8.  Mace attack.

One bandit remained, so Ärchönia put her sling away and strolled down to join the others, assuming the fight would be over by the time she arrived. If it was, she applauded the efforts of the others.

Falis feels herself begin to falter, but rises and swings at the remaiing bandit.

21:31, Today: Falis rolled 21,9 using 1d20+2,1d8+2 ((19,7)).
Attacking remaining bandit.

Falis kills the remaining bandit very much.

"Be careful... the bandit that ran into that tent never came back out." Zorbon points over to the tent that the bandits all came from.

When she reached the others and finished applauding, Ärchönia would checked the downed people. Perhaps there was still a chance to save them. To her that took priority right now.

Ricky rushes to kneel at Joe's side, after a moment he says, "Joe's dead."

Zorbon will quickly administer the last rites to Joe, and then head for the tent that the bandits came from, mace ready.

Ärchönia looked sad, because that is what you are supposed to do when someone dies. She kept the expression for as long as socially necessary, then her face grew hard. "We shall avenge him! The nithing shall not celebrate his corse!" she then declared in a resolved tone.

Taking out her rose bloom, she pulled off a petal, then another. "Wend your way, wend your way," she said, as she dropped the petals on Joe.

Presumably at this point, everyone else had bee tended to, one way or another. So, she would go and follow Zorbon at this point, ready for the final battle.

 Falis sighs.  "Damn it..." She looks at Joe, and retrieves any of her weapons that she might have clumsily thrown.  As Ärchönia sees to Joe's body, she shakily retrieves two of her silver coins from her pouch.  "For the ferryman..."  As she does this, she takes some effort to steady her breathing.

 She, too, follows Zorbon, her axe designated for throwing in her left hand and her "striking axe" in her right hand.

Ricky follows behind Archonia, who follows behind Falis, who follows behind Zorbon, who follows the lost bandit.

Zorbon pushes aside the tent flap, peering inside.  It is quiet, and unoccupied.  There are a half dozen cots, three on each side.  Clothes and equipment lie strewn about, though one of the cots has the bed made, and effects placed neatly on a upturned crate.

The wind blows gently, revealing a man sized slit in the back wall of the tent.

 Falis, at the moment, desperately looks for anything resembling a healing potion!  With her eyes, though -- no touching!

Zorbon takes a moment to notice how badly Falis is wounded and moves to her side to cast a Cure Light Wounds spell.

05:28, Today: Zorbon rolled 7 using 1d6+1 with rolls of 6.  CLW on Falis.

 Feeling things knit together and otherwise patch up acceptably, Falis flexes her fingers and then grips her weapons a little tighter.  "Oh... thank you." She then continues with the rest of the group.

Pointing at the obvious hole, Ärchönia states, "The Amaranthine Doxy believes our quarry might have gone this way. Have we a tracker to follow the knave?"

If none are suitable, she will try to do so herself, wondering how difficult it could be.

Falis feels much more hale thanks to Moe.

Ricky rises his hands and shrugs his shoulders.  Archonia steps through the slit into the grass and woods behind the tent.

Roll a d20 please.

Ärchönia looked about, seeing if there were signs of where their quarry went, or if she had just stepped into an ambush. How exciting would that be!

(OOC)
Her roll is a 10.

 Falis looks about past the slit for signs of the party's quarry...

19:46, Today: Falis rolled 7 using 1d20 ((7)).

Zorbon checks under the neatened cot and crate for any sign of a tunnel.

Zorbon finds nothing unexpected under the neat cot, apparently the owner was just not a slob.

Archonia thinks she sees a trail of moved grasses.  It leads out to the west, behind the tents towards the horses.

Falis doesn't see the bandit, but Archonia may be on the right path.

“This way,” Archonia says, pointing out the path. She proceeded toward that direction, as quickly as she could without losing the trail. She doubted that she could catch him before he took off on a horse, but if they could see the direction, perhaps he would still be in missile range.

The trail leads west towards a smaller tent.

 "I'll take the lead.  I can walk, and my blood's mostly back in my body." Falis closes her distance with this tent in front of her companions, her "throwing" axe in her hand and ready to be raised and hurled at moment's notice...

Ärchönia has happy to let Falis take the point. That would give her the space she needed to spellcast if such should prove necessary. "Your bravery will be celebrated with song and dance," she declared, before thinking of the sorts of dances they could have when they finished this grand game successfully.

Faris watches carefully, but the tent makes no aggressive moves.  She can hear a quiet commotion coming from inside.

ooc: The flap faces south, the party is approaching from the east.

Zorbon will bring up the rear to keep Archonia safe.

 Falis ponders.  "We could slice into the tent and surprise them... as best we're able.  Maybe even knock it down if we can find a good enough support to cut."

Ärchönia smiled. "A marvelous plan. I will go and see that they remain inside." She went to the southern side of the tent, in case they elected not to stay within and thus ruin Falis' clever plan. She was not right in the front of the tent or flap, where they could knock her over, but just on that side so if they ran out the flap, she could see where they are going.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:12, Wed 14 July 2021.

Ricky asks Falis.  "What do we do?"
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 01:05, Thu 22 July 2021.

 To Ricky, she says, "Whether you want to use your bow, or charge at them with me is up to you... either way, friend, get..."

Falis is going to look around for a rope to cut.  If she can find one, she'll direct Ricky to cut thhe other one.
Failing that, she will slice into the tent with the axe she uses for throwing and hurl it at the nearest bandit.

20:32, Today: Falis rolled 8,4 using 1d20+1,1d6 ((7,4)).
Rolls are provisional, contingent upon slicing into the tent being the only option.

If there is a rope to cut, she will but say "Ready."; if there is a hole that needs cut, she will shout "Ready!".

Archonia moves towards the front of the tent where she can see.  Zorbon backs her up.

Falis and Ricky move to a rope and in a coordinated effort cut the supports, and the tent mostly collapsed.  Three figures are revealed, one of them remains standing, a blade begins hacking at the fabric.  The other two struggle to get to their feet.

Ärchönia applauds the show, but stays in place, since she is there to handle things if any escape, not to melee them.

As before when she did not give suggestions to any of the others, she likewise makes no suggestions to Zorbon. If he decides to go attack them while they are trapped, that is fine, or if he stays with her, that is fine as well.

"Stand down and live, unlike your companions!" Zorbon is ready to brain the blade-wielding bandit should he threaten the ladies when he gets free.

 Falis looks happy with her and Ricky's handiwork.  She approaches the moving form and attempts to catch its blade with her axes.  "Dead or alive, you're coming with us.  Until then, you're gonna wanna not move..."

11:47, Today: Falis rolled 15 using 1d20 ((15)).

Just in case I need to roll for Falis attempting to catch a moving blade with her weapons...!

"We surrender." a voice calls from under the tent. "Denchay, Erich, stand down." The swordman stops struggling.  "Just don't kill us."

 Falis looks to her companions with a smile on her face.  "Good.  Come out, and then grab the sky."  She seems relieved that no more blood might be spilled.

 "Ricky, could you do us a favour cut some lengths of rope?  Bind their hands."

Zorbon watches the bandits carefully as they emerge from the tent and are bound by Ricky.

"Perhaps letting them out of the tent one at a time would make the tying easier," Ärchönia suggested. "It would spoil the magnificent end of our grand romp if the varlets suddenly all ran separate ways out of a poor sense of sportsmanship."

 "You heard the woman, and SHE'S the one you need to be afraid of.  One at a time, single file!"
This message was last edited by the player at 13:57, Wed 28 July 2021.

The three men are bound without incident.

"Before we commend them to the turnkey, should we first look for what the larceners have stolen?" she asked the others. There were several tents here, so no doubt at least some of the items could be recovered and returned to their rightful owners. "We can index all within, provide the peelers the list, and perhaps keep the remainder as a guerdon."

Indicating the prisoners, she added, "If the varlets assist and cooperate, perhaps their recompense will be degraded."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:46, Fri 06 Aug 2021.

 Falis takes a moment to process the wizard's words, but then nods.  "Hmm... sounds good... what do you think, Zorbon?  Some for us, some for Moe's, the rest for the guard?"

"As long as we return all of Thorak Copperwell's goods to him first. Remember, he's paying 200 gold to get it back."

He pauses for a moment and adds, "Remember, these bandits have already killed Joe and attempted to kill all of us. We must not forget to let the authorities know that. I expect little sympathy for such murdering types."

The party survyes the camp again.  Off o the west, a picket of horses, two large draft, a pair of shaggy ponies, and a couple of riding horses.  One of the larger trees has a tent at its base, the smoke coming up getting dispersed by the branches, next to it, a wagon and cart covered in tarps.  Two more tents are there, one larger than the other.  Garret and Joe's bodies lie near the campfire.   There are two men tied to one of the trees to the east.

           ******
       *** w c  [] ****
      *h             *
     *p h             []  *
     *p       #           *
    *H                 [] *
    *H                   pp*
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 Falis nods at Zorbon.  "Well, how about that?  They might get sharp blades to do the deed instead of dull ones."

 When everyone returns to the camp, she says to the men they're carrying with them, "What do you know about this?"

While Falis questions their prisoners for information, Ärchönia went over to the two tied up men. She tried to get an indication of their position in society by their clothing, but it seemed to her that they were likely merchants or townsfolk held for ransom by the bandits.

She greeted them, and said, "Felicitations! The Amaranthine Doxy is the intelligencer, and would provide manumission if the answers are filling. Are either you a burgess of Helmsbreach?"

The three men look at Falis.  Two of them stay silent, glancing quickly at the third.  Now in the open the other man looks to be an elf.  "Know about what?"  He retorts back.

Archonia finds the two men, tied and beaten.  They appear to be merchants, they don't respond to her question, but either dead or unconscious.

Zorbon will cast a CLW on one of the merchants should he prove mostly dead and not all dead.

 Falis rolls her eyes at the bound bandits, and clicks her tongue.  "The captives.  The stolen goods.  Don't be a smart-ass, I'm not in a good mood.  Two good men lie dead, and more died needlessly.  Unless you want to be another 'needless death', then you'll cooperate with me.  Might get to live out the rest of your days in a cell or doing something useful, instead of getting some iron in your diet or dancing for a crowd at the end of a rope.  So, talk, and talk true." She grips her axe.

Given their state, they surely were not in league with the bandits. So, while Zorbon tended their injuries, Ärchönia untied them and tried to make them more comfortable. She kept glancing over at Falis and the bandits though, since, even tied up, they might have designs on fleeing.

"They were merchants, too cheap to hire real guards, thinking they could save coin. You could say they chose poorly."  The elf looks to the woman, with a slight smile.  "You are quite brave, with an axe and my hands bound." One of the men chuckles, and they start to spread out a few steps from each other.


Zorbon follows Archonia across to the other side of the camp.  Both men live, one of them, thanks to Larry, opens his eyes looking around in confusion. "Who are you?"

Having been watching, and seeing the bandits start to separate, Ärchönia decided she would be more useful there, especially since Zorbon had things well in hand here. So, she walked over to Falis, and indicating the captives. "Perhaps a bit more rope to keep them in a line will keep them in line."

 "Wow." Falis' tone is flat.  She gives the rope a tug.  "You speak of my cowardice, when you admitted to killing unarmed people without bodyguards?"

 To her magical friend's advice, she nods.  "Yes, some more rope would do us wonders.  And, some rags to gag them with.  They're not saying anything useful."  Needless to say, Falis assists in binding... and hopefully gagging... the bandits.

The cleric answers the prisoner, "We've been hired to stop the bandits. I'm Zorbon, Cleric of Moe. My friends will introduce themselves in due time, I'm sure."

Ärchönia kept watch while Falis added to their bindings and included the gags. The earlier fight had not depleted all of her spells, so she was ready if they decided to be less than cooperative.

The party has no more trouble with the bandits.  The prisoners, though in rough shape, can ride in the wagon.  The left over goods are loaded into the wagon, and hitched to the draft horses.  The ponies are hitched to the small cart, and it is loaded with the barrels of drinks.  Garrett and Joe's bodies are wrapped and laid over the two riding horses.   The bandits are trailed along behind.

The group returns to Helmsbreach, and the sheriff takes care of the dead, and prisoners.

The rescued merchants offer anything from their wagon as a reward,   It is loaded with gear, rope, oil, torches and sudries. any mudane equipment is available.

All that remains is to find the dwarf and return his cart of fine liquors.

---

For recovery of the prisoners, and apprehension of the bandit, everyone receives 500XP.

Ärchönia pokes through the offered reward. She had been well-equipped, she thought, but took a few items, less for her own need, but more to give the merchants a sense of having done a good turn for their rescuers.

With that, she was ready to go seek the dwarf. He had seemed a bit out of sorts when last they had spoken; perhaps the return of his cart of spirits would put him in better spirits.

Zorbon will check on the merchants and thank them for their offer, but he will not take anything from their wagon. He will camp out at the Blue Turnip for a while this evening and wait for Thorak to arrive. He'll leave a message there if Thorak doesn't come in tonight.