After days of travel, your group of explorers and adventurers is within sight of Oleg's Trading Post.  It is a small trading post, about 100 miles south of the nearest town, along the South Rostland Road.  The crude gate, composed of large logs lashed together, lies closed.  Inside the fort, you can hear the muffled sound of work: an occasional bang or clunk of wood being hammered into place.

After a few minutes, the gates creak open, and you are greeted by a pretty woman, not quite yet into middle age.

"Greetings!  Welcome to Oleg's Trading Post.  I'm Svetlana.  Have you had a long travel?  We had word that Brevoy was sending some reinforcements to help us with the bandit problem that we've been experiencing.  Please, join us for some food.  I'm sure you're all hungry after your travels."

She gestures for you to come inside, seeming completely at ease with the motley group.

The woman gestures to the roof of the small building to the right of the entryway.  "My husband is repairing the roof of the guest house.  He'll be with us when he's finished."  The man on the roof looks over, grunts and returns to his work.

OOC:
Perception and Sense Motive checks from everyone, please.

Aeron dismounted from Mick, leaving his lance sheathed at the massive warhorse's shoulder.  He gave the beast a pat before taking the reins to guide it forward.  "Greetings, Svetlana."  He replied.  He left the greeting at that and turned his eye immediately to the post's defenses and allowed someone else to speak for the group.  It would certainly not be charitable to comment on the difficulty of the journey in either direction as one of the ones who had come on horseback.  Besides, if this was where they were to work from and defend, he wanted to know how much trust to put in its structure.

18:59, Today: Aeron rolled 15,18 using 1d20+8,1d20+7.  Perception, Sense Motive.
23:40, Today: Aeron rolled 16 using 1d20+9.  Profession: Soldier.

"...and that's when Choral's red dragon swooped in and torched all of the Melcat wagons and sent the messengers back on foot for the insult!" Saviǣ recounts the tale from her childhood among the nobles of Rostland, trying to fill the awkward silence among new acquaintances and lack of books with stories that only she really finds interesting--until the log fort comes into view and she announces excitedly, "Look! We're here!" The elven lass takes a hold of the bridle of her mule, Ferris, who has been content to follow along with the group and behind the big man's big horse, and begins to slow him down as they approach the closed gate.

She looks about, unsure of the etiquette for the situation, before shrugging and calling out at the fort, "Hello? Is this Oleg's?" As they wait, the girl takes off the wide-brimmed cavalier hat she had been wearing to protect against the sun and places it on top of the mule's pack saddle, then casts a small cantrip to freshen up.

When Svetlana opens the gate and introduces herself, the elf is quick to greet her with an offered hand and answer, "I guess that must be us! Pleased to meet you, I am Saviǣ Æssildais. We heard you were having trouble with bandits."

20:34, Today: Saviae Aessildais rolled 12,13 using d20+1,d20-1.  Perception/Sense Motive.

 Oghul was glad the road to Oleg's Trading Post had been uneventful. Her keen eyes kept a constant, alert, and vigilant watch over the road as they made their way south.

 Around the firecamp, she proved to be a pleasant conversation companion, if sometimes a bit taciturn and reserved. She enjoyed listening to Saviæ and her extravagant stories, although she had little to contribute herself. Every now and then she would describe an event of her life as a weaver in the nomadic tribe, but both content and delivery lacked excitement— she oft reverted back to listening.

 Her horse was a very light mount, quite short but surprisingly fast. He was a reflexion of his mistress, pleasant but reserved, not too willing to socialise with the other mounts.

Oghul quickly proved to be a skilled hunter, despite not carrying any obvious weapons for the trade. She’d leave the others for less  than an hour when they settle for the night, and came back with a bounty of either partridges, rabbits, eggs, berries, mushrooms, wild radishes, onions or chards... with every such trip she seemed to come back with just the right amount to make a decent meal for the four of them.

As they reached sight of their destination, the Druid doubled her vigilance and looked for the signs of recent troubles. She left the talking to others who may be better at first impressions.

---

Perception 26, Sense Motive 15

Thurak had completed the travel with rigid discipline. Every night he had completed a full circuit of the camp, looking for any signs of something awry, and then set up his simple bedroll, taken off his armor and slept. Every morning, he had awoken early and performed his devotions to the gods of order, before donning his armor and preparing for the day's travels. He was affable enough, chatting with the others, listening to Saviæ's stories, and asking questions of the others, trying to understand who they were and why they had become who they were.

Thank you for the welcome! We are glad to be here, and hope we can be of some assistance


11:18, Today: Thurak rolled 13,25 using 1d20+5,1d20+5.  perception, sense motive.

Svetlana stood watching the group, and motions to the stables (A3) for Aeron.  "You can stable your horse there.  I'm sure Claptrap would love the company.  We don't see many trappers coming around anymore, now that word about the bandits got out."

Svetlana rubs her fingers together, then motions to the main building.  (A6, A7). You can join us inside if you're hungry.  I've just made some fresh stew.  You can spend the night in the guest house, if you'd like." (A2)

She frowns at the mention of bandits, and Oleg grunts.  "Bought time they sent someone down!  I've been pestering them for weeks, and this is the first thing we've heard about help..."

Svetlana blushes.  "Well, yes.  But we're glad to see you.  Come, let's get your horse stabled and we can discuss our bandit problems over a meal."

OOC:
A map of Oleg's has been added as a Main Game Map.

Aeron walked his horse up to the stable and looked around as he went.  He whistled a low, respectful tone as he returned and commented to Oleg.  "A set up like this, and I could hold an army off with a dozen soldiers.  You've survived this long with no support here for how long?  Hat's off to you.  Sorry we're not enough to outright man the fort here for you, the Lord Mayor seemed not to want to actually risk any of his own swords to this and hired out instead.  It's cold, but I hope we can stick together through it and all live to the other side of the problem."  He concluded his commendation with commiseration... he wouldn't be a soldier if he didn't know how to complain properly.

"Master Oleg, Mistress Svetlana, we appreciate the welcome. I imagine you were hoping for a division of troops, not a small group of nobodies. I understand your frustration, but we'll do what we can to help. Could you tell us what the situation is that you've been asking for help? We haven't gotten any details beyond "bandits." Thurak says.


Turning on the charm:
14:44, Today: Thurak rolled 27 using 1d20+8.  diplomacy.

 Oghul had not expected to find such a fortified place. Tall walls, solid gate, even war machines... it looked like Oleg and Svetlana had been busy, or had received lots of help at some point. As they arrived though, it became obvious that the problem would be manpower rather than infrastructure.
 “Hello...” she simply said first to the lady, then to the master of the house.

 The half-elf’s deep brown near black eyes darted all over the place, never stopping on anything for too long. She was one to see everything, and say nothing. When she greeted Svetlana though, he shook her hands with warmth —maybe too much warmth to make it a comfortable social interaction. She rubbed the finger on her left hand with her thumb, and asked:
 “I see your ring is gone — was it precious to you? Did the bandits steal it?”

In her tribe, wedding vows were not exchanged with a pair of rings, but she was familiar with the custom. However she made no assumption on the matter.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:03, Mon 26 Oct 2020.

The elf follows Aeron to the stables, Ferris in tow, but pauses as the battlements catch her eye and she has to ask, wide-eyed, "You have catapults?! What kind of bandits are we dealing with, here?"

With the horse stables, Svetlana ushers you into the main hall, where the promised stew and fresh-baked is waiting.  Once a bowl is set out in front of everyone, Svetlana sits herself and explains.

"The first visit from the bandits was about three months ago.  They threatened to burn down the fort and take me for 'entertainment' if we didn't let them in.  That first visit, there were a dozen of them.  10 thugs who did little more than follow orders and make crude jokes under their breath and two leaders - a dangerous-looking woman who did most of the talking, and another hooded man."

She messages her ring finger.  "It was that woman who took my ring, after threatening Oleg with her hatchet.  She's got deadly aim with them, too.  Almost lopped off Oleg's hand..."

Svetlana trails off as Oleg stomps into the room, sweating from his work on the porch.

"I heard where you were coming in.  Can't even protect my wife, that's the kind of man I am."

Svetlana looks over to her husband and carefully ushers him to a seat, providing him with his own bowl of soup and moving back, rummaging through the cabinets until she finds a bottle of dark burgundy wine, pouring any who want it a glass.  Oleg begins mechanically eating his food, eyes down.

Svetlana continues.  "They've been back two more times.  That wretched woman didn't come back, and there's been less of them each time.  I think they've gotten comfortable, think that we've been cowed.  The second time, it was the hooded man and six others.  Last time, it was the hooded man and four others.  If their timing holds, they should arrive tomorrow, the first day of the month, within an hour or so of sunrise."

Oleg, most of his stew eaten, speaks up, looking to Aeron and Saviae.  "You're right that this is a well-built fort.  That's what it used to be, but the swordlords lost interest in it, which is why I managed to get it.  There are catapults, but I ain't a military man.  Even if I had the knowledge to maintain 'em, I've been too busy runnin' this fort...when I haven't been getting bled dry by these bandits."

The man's mood seems to be lightening by the word, once the subject of how the bandits had treated Svetlana was over.  "But you lot, you look like you know your way around a sword and bow.  Do you think you can manage it?  Stoppin' those bandits?  I've dreamed of getting revenge, of stringin' their bodies up on the walls, but I haven't dared try after the first time.  No, the look that women with the hatchets gave us...well, I ain't scared of much after living out here in the middle of nowhere.  But that woman - she scares me.  And I'm afraid if we did manage to kill the bandits tomorrow, she'd come a knockin' sooner rather than later."

Thurak eats heartily, thanking the woman for the kindly hospitality and delicious food. He listens carefully as she relates her woes, thinking through what she had said.

When Oleg interrupts, Thurak knows he needs to offer comfort. "Do not feel bad, It's hardly your fault to not be able to stand against 12 with just yourself and your wife. As for stopping them, I reckon we can. I know these types. Thugs and bastards living off the fat of better men, but cowards at heart. We bloody their noses, and they'll think about trying again, especially if we find that woman. It sounds like they've gotten complacent too, which gives us an advantage."

Thurak looks over at his companions. "I recommend we plan an ambush. Tomorrow morning, most our group hides around the outpost. I'm not good at being sneaky, but I imagine a single visitor without any obvious weapons wouldn't be too worrying. The bandits come in and demand their usual tribute. Oleg takes them in, but leads them into our ambush. We kill most, capture one or two and see if we can't convince them to tell us where they're living in return for their miserable lives. Then we go chase down the rest and that woman, and keep them from coming back here to bother these good people."

Aeron nodded in agreement with Thurak's assessment.  "Indeed.  No one would expect one to hold against a dozen.  Even the eight of us will likely need to use some careful tactics to match a dozen... though I expect we all anticipate success, or we wouldn't have come out here to stake our lives on it." Ever the planner, Aeron included the animals in the count of their force.

He considered the fort's defenses.  "I expect that if we fail, though, any remaining will come back at you with vengeance in their herats.  Before we head out, we might be able to load the rear catapults with shot and callibrate them to aim just inside the gate.  That way, if they do come here to make their anger known, you can make a show of letting them in only to take the first - and hopefully last - few just inside."

 Oghul thanked Svetlana for the food. Before sitting down to eat, she opened her bag and offered the bounty of wild herbs, mushrooms and root vegetables she had foraged the day before.

 She ate in silence, listening to the retelling of events, reading between the lines for truths that went unsaid. A smile crossed her face when Aeron mentioned there were eight of them. She was not surprised he would have noticed that her foal Temudjin would hold his own in a fight against most men, when other mounts would cower or flee.

 "Thurak is right, an ambush is very fitting. We should let none flee back to their master though, and entertain the mystery as to what happened."

"If they've any brains," the elf considers, "the Swordlords taking an interest should be all it takes to keep them away. Once we give them their ... bloody noses ... they'd have to be damned fools to risk escalating things against Restov." She considers for a moment before asking, almost excitedly, "How quickly do you think we could open and close that gate? Maybe open it only partway and block it with a cart when we spring the ambush? The option to divide their numbers could be very beneficial."

Svetlana went quiet as the discussion turned to tactics and fighting.  Oleg takes over the conversation.

"An amnbush'd best.  I won't have Svetlana exposed to that, though.  Those vermin might try to hurt her if things go south for them.  I want her hidden away.  If you need bait, I'll have to be enough."

Svetlana looks about to argue with Oleg, but shakes her head instead.  Oleg continues.

"Those swine won't be expectin' that.  I don't think they'd care about what the Swordlords might think neither...not that those bastards in Restov give much of a care to what happens here."

Oleg considers the ideas.  "I ain't much of a fighter, so I'll be trustin' your call on that.  Separatin' them might work.  The gate takes some muscle to work, but a strong enough man could prolly jam it shut quick."

He shakes his head at the talk of the catapaults.  "That's another thing I don't know about.  I ain't done nothing since I took over this fort - they've been sittin' out in the rain the entire time.  You might be able to rig 'em up, but I don't know."

OOC:
Let me know if you have any more questions for Oleg.  You can have as much time as you need to discuss, and let me know when you're ready to move on to the ambush.  Before we start, let me know where all the PCs (and their animals) are, and where you want Oleg.

"When they do come in, where have you met them in the past, and do you take them somewhere to give them their tribute? What's the usual routine? We wouldn't want to change anything and make them suspicious, so the more we know what you usually do, the better we can plan.

Saviǣ considers for a time before asking everyone gathered, "I think the first question is whether we want to keep any from running. It's better, strategically, to leave your enemy a way to escape--people fight harder when cornered--but the bounty was on their lives..."

"It may make this fight easier if we let them run, but it will make the next fight harder, because the rest will know who we are and that we're coming for them. I say we offer them a chance to surrender, but do not let them flee. Captives will provide us information on how many of them there are and where they are hiding. Escapees will simply give the rest of their miserable group a chance to prepare an ambush on us, or take revenge on Oleg and Svetlana." Thurak's voice is hard and deadly.

Oghul listened to the planning of the ambush, contributing little in way of details.

She said however when it came to the question of surrender or fleeing opportunities, she weighed in:
 “We should offer them a chance to give up their wicked ways and work for their redemption. Some in their midst may not have chosen that life, or only reluctantly so for lack of a better option.”

 “I will not allow any to flee back to their master though. The danger is too great. If simply they go missing, one can always think they were attacked by a wild creature in the night, ambushed by trolls, or fallen to any other danger in these lands...”

“We should not give them opportunity to flee, but if one does, I will chase them down with Temudjin.”

She seemed very confident in her ability to catch fugitives if need be.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:14, Sat 31 Oct 2020.

Aeron had a few comments.  "I don't know about locking ourselves in and them out to start the fight - a called warning and those outside could have a minutes-long lead on escaping us into the wood, even before we consider reopening the gate.  Besides, as their numbers dwindle we need less to divide them and more to focus on making sure they do not escape.  If there are five or less as anticipated, I would be very ashamed if we could not meet them directly.

  "I can ride up behind them from outside and make the offer to any when Oleg lets them in.  We can consider re-offering it to the survivors afterward, but I will not mourn those who choose the path of evil and only repent when bested.  I will also check on the catapults and see what we can do with them, if anything.  Mick and I can also help ride down any that flee, but hopefully that will not be necessary."

He asked Oleg, "Did all of them come inside the gates each time?  If they did we could try to find a way to shut it behind them and have them trapped with us, resolving any flight risks.  Otherwise I and someone else could focus on fighting those outside while everyone else concentrates on those within, and I could physically block the gate once we finish with those outside."

 Oghul agreed with Aeron.
 "We should not trap ourselves inside. Master Oleg, everything should be as it was last time, at least in appearance. We attack them inside the fort, and either lock the doors to let no one out, or chase down any fugitive."

 She considered Aeron and added:
 "I have seen how you ride... it should be no problem for the two of us to ensure no one leaves."

Aeron nodded to Oghul and then set out to attempt to prepare a catapult as a back-up aimed just inside the gates for Oleg and Svetlana to use if there were more bandits than anticipated, or in case the party ended up dying in the attempt to cleanse the area.

When the time came to prepare for the fight, Aeron saddled and mounted Mick and readied his lance and shield for a charge down the alley.


09:37, Today: Aeron rolled 26 using 1d20+9.  Profession: Soldier (seeing if I can make a catapult work and aim it by tomorrow).

Starting south of A3 near the corner and ready to charge.  If anyone tries to position between himself and the gate, Aeron will ask them to move and clear charge-lane.

Oleg responds to Aeron: "Yes, they all come inside the trading post.  They seem eager to load up and get back on the road as quickly possible."

Svetlana nods: "I think they must be about a day's ride away, and want to get back before nightfall.  Nothing they've said confirms that, but they come about an hour after dawn.  I think they ride most of the ride here the day before, camp somewhere close by, then get here early in the morning and spend the day riding home."

OOC:
Updated Main Game Map of Oleg's with Aeron's position.  Tell me where everyone else wants to be, and if there's no more questions, we can skip to the morning and the bandits' arrival.  Oleg will be in the middle of the courtyard to greet them, and Svetlana will be inside the house.

Saviǣ nods along with everyone's thoughts and suggests, "If we split up and lay low, then, we can spring our trap on Oleg's signal and flank them." She then looks to Aeron and adds in jest, "Just make sure you don't let them see you mounted, armored, and ready for battle before then!"

OOC: I'll hide inside the door of an unoccupied buildings. Can't see them on the new map. XD
This message was last edited by the player at 19:18, Tue 03 Nov 2020.

OOC:
Okay, Map updated again.  Placed Saviae inside building A2 and I have Aeron hiding from sight at the corner of A3.

Thurak heads North, intent on being close to Oleg.

I will hide in A4

 Oghul suggested:
 "Locking the door would be difficult, slow, and maybe dangerous. Yet blocking the way out is a good idea. I will stand outside the fort with Temudjin, ready to ride in. We need to make sure that escape is not an option."

 She realised that this approach presented the risk that they be noticed before the brigands entered the fort, and she alleviated this concern:
 "I will spend the night outside with my steed. I do not care much for beds anyway."

 They would ride North for a few minutes and find a decent camping spot, forage for an hour or so, and settle down for the night. Horses sleep very little, and Temudjin kept a vigilant watch over the druidess for most of the night. At the first lights preceding dawn, he made sure she was awake, and they moved into position just behind the fort, waiting for the sounds of the brigands approaching.

The next morning dawns, and everyone takes their place, hidden away except for Oleg.  About an hour after sunrise, the bandits make their appearance, casually sauntering in the front gate of the foot.  There are four of them, mounted on horses, with the cloaked bow-wielding man in front.

"Oleg!  Glad to see you out so bright an early to welcome us!  Ah, but I don't see your lovely wife."

The other bandits behind him laugh and call out: "Ah!  Svetlana, where are you?  Oleg, where are you hiding her?"

Oleg stares at the ground, his face flushed and fists clenching.

The hooded man silences his men and yells out again, clearly enjoying tormenting Oleg.  "Well, Oleg, have you got our 'taxes' this time?  We need them much more than you.  Our bellies are empty and our throats are parched!"

OOC:
Let me know when you want to spring into action.  The bandits are going to move into the square closer to Oleg, dismount their horses, and start loading them, moving to  A4 and A6.

Thurak waits silently in the storehouse, his magic at the ready to blast the bandits when they enter the room.

Staying hidden, readying an action to cast burning hands on as many of the bandits as I can (while avoiding Oleg and any supplies of course) as soon as they open the door.

Saviǣ watches quietly through the crack of the doorway, clenching and relaxing her grip around the hilt of her slender rapier as she waits.

Oleg never told us exactly what to expect so we never planned exactly when to spring the trap! Saviǣ would be waiting for some kind of signal.

 From her spot on the other side of the wall, Oghul had no problem hearing the brigands arrive, and start their threatening spiel. She immediately started walking along the wall, and glanced around the corner to check whether the ruffians had left anyone outside. If there was a sentinel, she would have to take care of them first. If not, she would simply walk to the gate and wait for the signal.

 She was not the most silent she could be, but then noises from outside the fort would not seem alarming to the brigands – she hoped.

  First round: Move to S1, Perception
 Second round: Move to S13, Perception

 Oghul Qaimish rolled 10,18 using d20+2,d20+14 – stealth, perception
This message was last edited by the player at 17:12, Wed 04 Nov 2020.

Hearing the horses, Aeron held off until he heard the sound of the bandits dismounting.  Once they had, he rode out around the corner toward the gate wall.  As soon as he saw a bandit cross his line of sight, he charged.  Aeron landed a heavy blow with his lance, but Mick failed to connect at all with his bite.  He hoped that the others would hear the sound of battle and made a mental note to make a signal if they needed to ambush anyone in the future.


13:50, Today: Aeron rolled 9,8 using 1d20+7,1d4+5.  Horse's attack on charge.
13:49, Today: Aeron rolled 24,17 using 1d20+10,2d8+8.  Charge w/ lance from horseback. -> Should only be vs 22 ac - bonus is +8 on attack w/ charge not +10

The leader of the bandits stays near the entrance to the trading post, his attention split between watching the bandits move to unload Oleg's goods and the road outside.  The man seems jumpy, and several times glances towards the perimeter of the fort when Oghul moves, but does not say anything.

Meanwhile, the three bandits move into the center of the courtyard, one leading the pack horses and two moving to the storeroom and the hidden Thurak.  Grumbling, Oleg moves to the stables just as the trap is sprung.

Caught by surprise, the bandits yell as Thurak covers them in flames.  The bandit leader swivels, moving to fire his bow, but before he can react, Aeron charges him, impaling them man on his lance and killing him instantly.

---

OOC:
Surprise Round
Bandit Leader is DEAD.
Three bandits are alive, but wounded.  Roll initiative, if you beat a 3 you can act before the bandits.

14:49, Today: DM, for the NPC Bandit3, rolled 3 using 1d20+1.  Reflex.
14:49, Today: DM, for the NPC Bandit2, rolled 6 using 1d20+1.  Reflex.
14:48, Today: DM, for the NPC Bandit1, rolled 14 using 1d20+1.  Reflex Save.
14:55, Today: DM, for the NPC Bandits, rolled 3 using 1d20-3.  Initiative.
14:53, Today: DM, on behalf of Thurak, rolled 4 using 1d4.  Burning Hands Damage.
14:49, Today: DM, for the NPC Bandit3, rolled 3 using 1d20+1.  Reflex.
14:49, Today: DM, for the NPC Bandit2, rolled 6 using 1d20+1.  Reflex.
14:48, Today: DM, for the NPC Bandit1, rolled 14 using 1d20+1.  Reflex Save.

15:31, Today: Saviae Aessildais rolled 15 using 1d20+4.  Initiative.
Caught off-guard by the sounds of battle starting without a signal, Saviǣ rushes out from the building and into the fray, quickly mounting the table in the way, and thrusts out a hand to send waves of colorful light over the gathered bandits.

Move: To H-17, not sure if the table counts as difficult terrain or requires a hop-up, but here's an acrobatics check to smooth things over.
15:37, Today: Saviae Aessildais rolled 20 using 1d20+9.  Acrobatics.
Standard: Cast Color Spray (should hit all 3 from H17) DC 14, some are shaken from Thurak's blast?

Thurak calls out in a bold voice, ""Surrender or die, scum!" He waits a beat, then if they don't begin surrendering will thrust his hand out, sending a rush of energy to his allies that bolster their spirits and spur them to greater efforts.

Burning hands DC is 16, so they all fail and are shaken as well as taking the 4 damage.
If the bandits don't immediately surrender, Thurak will cast bless, granting all allies within 50 feet a +1 morale bonus to attack rolls and saving throws vs fear.

Before joining the fray, Oghul made sure there was no one left outside who could flee the scene and report back to the other bandits.

She turned into the gate to the fort, but it seemed the first act had already played out. Her horses charged into the midst as they had planned, crushing into the nearest brigand and nearly sending him to the ground.

As the druidess turned her attention to the others, it seemed there was not much more to do or say, so he let the beaten enemy respond to Thurak.

---

T charges and hits AC19 for 8 damage (thanks to bless)

Mid-Round Update:

The remaining bandits freeze, Thurak's spell shaking them.  Saviae sprays them with arcane color, and the bandits fall unconscious to the ground.  Before she can stop, Oghul charges in, attacking one.

OOC: (Oghul can abort her attack if she wishes)
Combat is effectively over.  All surviving bandits failed their save and are unconscious, blinded and stunned for 5 rounds.

Aeron patted Mick and ordered him down from attacking.  "Well, any offers of them to reform now would be highly suspect now.  I am a fair judge of character, but I could not be certain of the intentions of any of them promising to give up their unlawful ways.  They would be doing their very best to appear sincere either way, to avoid the sentence their crimes deserve."

He looked to Oleg, who had been in the area longer than any of the adventurers.  "Are any of these ones that you or Svetlana might have known before they turned to banditry and would be willing to believe that they would truly turn from it?  Or did you see that any of these were less awful or seemed to regret what they were doing before now?"

 Oghul had stayed at the gate of the fort, reading the situation from a safe distance, and keeping an eye out for potential fugitives. Her blooded foal Temudjin had charged forward to crush one of the brigands, and when the spell took upon them, it was just too late to recall him... the horse trampled his target unforgivingly.

 Satisfied that no one was left outside, she rushed in and grabbed the leash to calm Temudjin. The deed however was done. She sent him outside of the fort for a patrol.

 She turned to the others, not exactly apologetic about her mount's reckless charge.
 "I agree that we would struggle to trust them... but I feel like this warrants at least a conversation. Let's bind them and leave them in the stables, and we can talk this through with Oleg and Svetlana."

 As they started the binding process, she commented:
 "My view is, we offer them to either pay their debt off by working here, or return whence they came with a message for their chieftain. That way we know if their repentance is genuine."

 "But the message shall never arrive..." shed added ominously.

---

I figured we might was well limit the question of what to do with subdued enemies... Temudjin has no moral compass.

"Whoever is skilled with rope, please tie up these low-lives." Thurak requests. "I have a suggestion for the interrogation. Let us separate them, and interview each survivor separately. We can test for truthfulness based on what they each say differently. If any seems both truthful and fully repentant, we can leave them alive. Otherwise, after they have told us what we know, well, there is that bounty upon bandit heads."

The elf, ready to follow up with her rapier, surprises herself as all three bandits topple over from her spell. She only wastes a moment gawking before moving in to quickly relieve them of their weapons and toss them safely aside. In the process, she is nearly trampled as well when the wild horse runs in and begins stomping on one of the downed men. After a moment of recovering from that shock she retrieves a length of silk rope from her pack and begins to tie the men's arms behind their backs as she responds, "Whatever you think is best, but I'm no executioner." Once the men are secure she begins to rifle through their pockets and belongings for anything useful.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:54, Wed 10 Mar 2021.

Oleg slowly emerges from hiding, his posture changing as he realizes how quickly the heroes have won.  He stares at the fallen bandits, around the group, and back down to the bandits.

"You...you won?  That fast?  That was barely a fight!"

He shakes his head, and turns down, his face turning red.  He looks up a moment later, wiping a tear from his eye.  "I'll go get Svetlana.  But, thank you.  You did what I couldn't."

He looks over the bandits.  "I recognize these men from their previous trips here to shake us down.  If you have any doubts about what evil lurks in their hearts, you can talk to Svetlana about the threats they made..."

He shakes his head, walking to get his wife, and looks back.  "They've earned no reprieve.  Nothing can make up for what they've shown us of their nature."

OOC:

The leader of the bandits has the following gear:
Alchemist's Fire (2)
Leather Armor
Dagger
Composite Longbow (+2 Strength)
20 Arrows
Rations (2 days)
Silver amulet shaped like a stag's skull (worth about 25gp)
35 gold pieces

Each of the three bandits has the following gear:
Leather Armor
Longbow
20 Arrows
Short Sword
Rations (2 days)
10 gp

"Well like you said, there's a lot less here than before. You probably could have bested them yourself!" Saviǣ attempts to reassure the man as she sorts through the recovered gear. After having a look at it all she determines, "We could probably make use of the rations, alchemist's fires, the identifying amulet, maybe some bits of gear, and two or three of their horses, but the rest might be some recompense for what they've taken from you, Mister Oleg." Then, as she begins dragging one of the men to an unused building, with some difficulty, she says between heaves and grunts, "As the Lord Mayor said ... the punishment is death ... but I bet they'd turn on their friends quick ... if we promise to let them live."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:29, Tue 10 Nov 2020.

"Here is what we shall do. Separate them out. Master Oleg, if we could borrow a few of your storerooms, we will put one of the survivors in each room, under guard by one of us. We will interrogate them one at a time. The key information we need to know is how many else in their group there are, where they are lurking, and any exceptional capabilities amongst them, such as magical skill, and also what security measures they use to protect their camp, such as patrols, pass-codes, and the like. By interrogating them separately, if they lie we will be able to tell by the differences in their answers.

As good Master Oleg said, these wretches have earned no reprieve. We can offer them their lives in exchange for truthful answers, but we are under no obligation to tell the truth to liars and murderers. After we've questioned them, they will be executed for banditry and assault.

If you all agree, I would be glad to act as chief questioner. Some people seem to find my appearance intimidating, the burns might as well be useful for something." Thurak says, referencing his burned face and arms, and his large half-orcish body.

“I agree, we should get as much information from them as we can. The law is clear, penalty for banditry is death by hanging. Though if one of them is convincing enough in his repent, we can always offer leniency.”

She liked to think that people were not inherently evil, and that redemption was possible...

Aeron shook his head.  "I disagree.  These monsters threaten the weak as long as they can, and it would be natural for them to cower before the strong as well.  Let's not offer them freedom.  We can separate them and let them know the penalty of death for their actions, and allow them to offer information as a last act in the hopes that the gods will look favorably upon them when they pass into the next life."

"If any should make good on that offer of redemption we can consider allowing further time to repent, and it would be more credible than offering their lives for information we can't verify, on threat of death.  That is just asking for crocodile tears and lies." He opined.

He looked over the equipment and tested out the leader's bow.  "If they're all armed with bows, everyone who can use one should take one as well.  I agree that Oleg should receive a good portion of what we take from the bandits in the end, as he's suffered under their rule.  But the best way to get to that point is to make sure that we survive to see the deed through.  Otherwise, they might be worse off than if we never came.  If anyone else can use this bow, they should - I'm not much of an archer.  But if no one else can I'll carry it to use if needed until we finish with the bandits."

He looked at the amulet.  "Is this some kind of heretical holy symbol?  I don't know that I've ever seen it before."

09:27, Today: Aeron rolled 15 using 1d20+7.  K: Rel on the stag head amulet/holy symbol.

Oleg readily agrees, and before the bandits can regain their senses, they are separated to different areas of the trading post: the stables (A3), the storage pens (A4), and the guest house (A2) can all hold a temporary prisoner under guard.
OOC:
All characters can make one attempt to interrogate a prisoner, with Bluff/Diplomacy/Intimidate depending on their style and what they offer/threaten.

Thurak walks back and forth, looming over the tied up prisoner. For several minutes, he simply paces, staring at the helpless criminal, and letting the fear build up. Finally, Thurak turns towards the helpless man. "You have committed the crimes of assault and banditry. No doubt if we investigated further, we could find plenty more, but these are enough. These crimes bear the death penalty. We were tempted to simply execute you straight away, but I have decided to offer you a chance for mercy. If you cooperate and answer my questions truthfully, some mercy could be permitted.

I warn you though, your compatriots were given the same option and are right now squealing all they know. I wouldn't advise trying to lie to me." He finishes ominously.

I think this would be bluff to convince him that his allies already talked to us and intimidate to get him to talk, but I could see it being diplomacy. Just in case, I rolled all three:16:31, Today: Thurak rolled 26,24,19 using 1d20+8,1d20+11,1d20+8.  bluff, intimidate, diplomacy.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:02, Wed 18 Nov 2020.

Oghul did not fancy herself an interrogator or a diplomat. She was always too blunt, or a bit awkward, or not quite casual enough to entice conversation. She did not see herself as an executioner either if it came to that though.

She took a chance though, seeing as these brigands were possibly their only chance at getting information on the force rising in the south.

“You know banditry is punishable by death don’t you?” she commenced, not quite sure how to start.
“But if you tell us truthfully what we want to know, there may be an other outcome for you.”

“How many men have you, and where is your base? We have asked the others as well, and if your information doesn’t match, we’ll have a problem, and you won’t be talking to me next, but to the half orc fire sorcerer...” she warned.


OQ rolled 18 using d20-1 — diplomacy

Aeron was not going to lie to the bandit given to him to interrogate.  "You know what you've done, and you know why."  He drew his sword.  "Frankly, I have no desire - and thankfully no need - to judge or punish motives.  I am here to execute justice for crimes committed.  You were caught in the act of banditry, and the sentence is death.  The authority to execute the sentence has been given into my hand."

He considered the man for a moment.  "That said, there is no reason for me not to give you a few moments to make your peace in preparation for the afterlife.  Every god judges his servants by their deeds, and most are willing to accept one's best attempts at penance and repentance."  He cited a few gods and their punishments of their followers that did evil, as well as stories of clemency for those who turned from evil ways - even just before the end.

"You have one minute to pray, then as long as needed for you to give speak to make what restitution you can for your deeds.  Information on whatever this seeming heretical holy symbol is," He held up the skull amulet, "Information about the other bandits, people who were wronged and how: so that we can seek to help them, or whatever comes to mind that might help us undo the evil you have done on your behalf."  He did not sheathe his blade but waited for the bandit's response.

09:13, Today: Aeron rolled 15,3 using 1d20+7,1d20+2.  Knowledge Religion, Diplomacy.

Interrogation with Thurak:

Interrogation with Oghul:

Interrogation with Aeron:

I am pleased you have decided to cooperate. You will tell me everything you know. How many people work with Happs and Kressle?  How many other bandits are there? What makes you fear Kressle so much? Where do you lurk, and also what security measures are in place? Do you have patrols, pass-codes, or anything similar? And this Stag Lord, you may not have met him, but what have you heard of him? Tell me everything, and I'll show what leniency I can."

Do we carry on in PM?

Aeron shrugged as he gripped his sword firmly with both hands.  "I never lie.  Your soul, your choice.  You may be very well be going to hell, but I am bound for better halls."

If the man did not begin to use the time given to him, he thrust hard and true at the bandit's heart.

10:00, Today: Aeron rolled 17 using 2d8+12.  coup de grace.

Interrogation with Thurak:
The bandit relaxes a little, becoming slightly more certain his life isn't about to end at the hands of this dangerous-looking man.  "There's about a dozen at the camp, all told.  Those aren't all the bandits in the region, of course.  I've never even met the Stag Lord - most of the people at the camp have.  Happs and Kressle are his Lieutenants - she must have impressed him back at his main camp, and he charged Kressle with gathering up a gang of bandits like us and sending booty back to him occasionally."

He shakes his head.  "I mean, you haven't met Kressle, but Oleg has.  He can tell you how she acts.  She's got a mean streak in her.  There's a rumor going around the camp that she killed her first man before she was six.  I don't know if it's true or not, but she does know her way around being a bandit.  And the Stag Lord - well, she seems....maybe not afraid of him, but maybe impressed by him?  And someone who impresses Kressle isn't someone I want to cross, that's for sure.  We send our take down to the Stag Lord's fort every few months, and if we're short...well, let's just say some of the men don't come back."

He pauses, gathering his thoughts.  "Well, as for preparations.  I mean, we mostly depend on no one who knows we're hear being brave enough to attack.  There's a couple of watch platform, and if Kressle suspects something happened to us, she's bound to make sure someone's watching. We have a few thunderstones that the watchmen used to signal the others."

The bandit takes a deep breath and stares expectantly at Thurak, to see if his words have satisfied him.

Interrogation with Oghul:
The bandit scratches his head.  "I mean, the Stag Lord...he's the leader of all the bandits in the Greenbelt.  He sent Kressle up here, and she recruited most of us.  Every month or so we send a portion of our 'profits' down to him.  But honestly, I've never met the man, or seen his fort.  The silver amulets are the symbols that the Stag Lord gives to his trusted lieutenants.  As for why he's the Stag Lord...well, rumor has it he's a monster of a man, with a deer's skull for a head.  I think it's just a grisly helmet he fashioned, but again, I've never seen him in person." He shakes his head.  "I'm a mercenary, on the run after making a few bad decisions, and this seemed like a good place to escape.  I was hungry, and Kressle offered a way to fill my belly and stay away from trouble...well, old trouble at any rate."

Interrogation with Aeron:
The bandit gurgles and falls over dead.

Saviǣ watches quietly from a corner, not expecting to be of any help in getting the men to talk but not wanting to miss anything they might say. She does catch on to something, though, and observes, "Haven't you heard of a whistle? A horn? Different rhythms or tones to mean different things... Thunderstones are completely impractical!" She quickly realizes the curiosity isn't quite useful and is wholly tangential, and soon purses her lips and leans back into her corner to let the others work.

Thurak questions the man a bit longer, trying to get directions to this bandit's camp. Either way, once the man is done talking, he thinks over the man's comments, then leaves briefly to fetch a dagger.

"Thank you for your cooperation." Thurak says "Your reward will be in whatever mercy the Gods choose to reward you for your cooperation, however reluctant. I promised you what leniency I can, and I hold my promises. As a bandit, you are due for execution by hanging, but I grant you a more peaceful and honorable death." Thurak utters, and taking out the dagger, slashes the bound man's neck.

Oghul left the man in his stable box, came back to talk to the others. She shared details of what had been told, and compared with the rest of the information available.

“It sounded like who enacted the sentence already,” she said to Thurak and Aeron.
“I haven’t yet, and am still not sure that we should... Death seems so swift, and permanent. Would you consider keeping a prisoner?”

She was well aware that the proposal was not exactly practical, but knowing the redemption was possible might mellow some of the other bandits, instead of forcing them into a fight to the death.

“I will not take such risk lightly though, and say we consult Oleg and Svetlana.”

Oleg's suggestion is short and to the point: The man spits on the ground, and growls: "They're bandits.  The penalty for this is clear.  Hang them, slit their throats, then let's hang their bodies from the walls to deter further lawlessness."

Svetlana pales at this suggestion, and Oleg seems to notice.

"Well, that's what people used to do at any rate.  I say a clean death is still the best way.  Then bury their bodies.  That's still more than they deserve."

Svetlana seems mollified, and bustles away, coming back a few minutes later.  "Speaking of what you deserve, we wouldn't have anything had those bandits kept coming.  Take these as a token of thanks.  These are two potions that will heal your wounds, and one that will protect you from harm."

She hands over three potions.  "We got these from a crazy old hermit named Bokken who has a hut over to the southeast.  Keeps to himself mostly, though we occasionally trade with him.  With all this commotion from the bandits, I haven't actually checked in on him in some time.  Would mind checking in on him?"

She shows you the location on your map.  (One hex to the right.)

OOC: Potions are 2xPotion of Cure Light Wounds, 1xShield of Faith +2
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:51, Tue 24 Nov 2020.

Aeron took his bandit outside the post to bury him.  As he worked, he mulled over Svetlana's previous words and her reaction to the penalty for banditry.   When he returned, he tried to catch Svetlana at a time when Oleg was not immediately present.  "I noted your reactions earlier.  Are you just generally more merciful than most, or is there a particular bandit that you would like us to show mercy toward?  As one of the primary victims of the crime, it would be lawful for us to consider your requests in the matter."


08:56, Today: Aeron rolled 19 using 1d20+7.  Sense Motive (Svetlana).

Oghul checked thed bandits’ possessions, looking for Svetlana’s wedding band. It was small and easily concealed, and perhaps something one bandit would have hidden from the others.

On the question of mercy, she supported the idea of redemption but only if Oleg and Svetlana agreed to it. Of the brigand wished to redeem his sins, he would have to be out to work towards repaying his debt to his victims.

She accepted the gift on behalf of the group.
“We shall use these wisely in our quest to bring peace and order to the land. And we could start with a visit to the local alchemist.”

She advised Aeron not to bury the bandit in a visible location as one approaches the fort — when more bandits come it would be good not to reveal the fate of their companions until necessary.

"Thank you, but I suspect we're not out of the woods yet, so to speak," the elven lady comments as they accept the potions. She looks to her compatriots who interviewed the other bandit and asks, "Did we manage to get the location of their camp? Maybe this 'Bokken' isn't too far out of the way?"

Svetlana shakes her head in response to Aeron's query.  "No, they're bandits...what they threatened me with and what they did, they certainly deserve death.  I just thought Oleg's proposal of hanging of displaying their rotting corpses from the wall went too far."

OOC: Bokken is to the east.  One of the bandits mentioned their camp is to the south.  You could certainly swing by Bokken's on the way there, but it's not 'on the way'."

"We should strike quickly, before the bandits at the camp realize what has happened, but not hastily. Let us talk to this Bokken person, then head towards the bandit camp. I recommend we plan to sleep in the woods, and then strike their camp first thing in the morning.

Aeron nodded his agreement with Thurak's assessment: first check on Bokken, then strike toward the bandit camp.

 Oghul nodded in agreement with Svetlana. Death was one thing, but grisly display would help no one. If Aeron was content with delivering the sentence, she would leave it at that. Next they should find a place of burial, likely a common grave at the back of the fort.

“I disagree,” she said about the plans to strike the bandit camp.

“If we want to move against them, we should do it before they realise the others are not coming back. Otherwise they will know, or at least expect, something went wrong and they will be wary.”

“Otherwise we could just wait until they send someone to check on the first patrol... and take care of them as they approach.”

“We could check on this Bokken fellow later.”

Aeron tilted his head, considering Oghul's suggestion.  "Unless later would be too late for him.  I would rather have a harder fight on my hands than leave a man to trouble that we might have prevented."

He considered for a moment.  "I have an idea.  We could split the group.  Some go to see the Bokk, the others stay near here to watch for anyone coming north to check on the other bandits.  Between the Druid and I, we could allay suspicion by providing clear evidence near the road that most or all of the bandits were killed by wild animals some distance south of here.  We can observe them there to see what happens.  If they continue north, Olleg will express surprise that they took so long and give them their payment and we will hit them as they - at ease - leave the fort.  Otherwise, we'll ambush them in the woods if they don't buy our ruse, or let them retreat back if they do - whichever they choose to do."

"I doubt these men were ... significant enough to cause alarm for running a bit late. To sustain a large camp in untamed wilderness--without the ways of the elves--they'd have to be robbing settlers in a very large area. That means untrained bands like this constantly coming and going and running into delays." The elf explains her reasoning and adds, "Even against untrained ruffians it'd be unwise to split our forces."

 "It sounds like we have a consensus. Stay together, check on Bokken first, and ambush the bandits either on their way to Oleg, or as they come out. I would favour the former, unless Oleg and Svetlana trust their life on their acting skills."

 The half-elf was ready to move immediately, with just a few things to toss in a bag before she could be on the saddle – this being a simple heavy cloth on the bare back of her rumbustious foal.

 Before heading out, she handed a sack of wild tubers to Svetlana.
 "I foraged this yesterday, thought you might use it for your stew. Or save them for later, they keep very well in a crate of sand."

Aeron agreed - if Bokken's were a short enough distance out of the way they could go there quickly then double-back to protect Oleg's together if it proved necessary, before heading down to deal with the other bandits.

"Good, then we are agreed, we go to Bokken's, and then assuming we learn nothing that changes our plan, go after the bandit camp." Thurak says decisively.

 It sounded like there still were two very different approaches in the air. At any rate they both started with the same visit to Bokken the potion maker, which made things simpler.

 "The day is still young, but we are wasting daylight — let us ride now."

 She gathered her things and mounted the boisterous foal, ready to gallop towards the alchemist's hut.

Svetlana smiles and thanks Oghul.  "These make me remember my favorite, Moon Radish soup.  There's a patch that grows about 16 miles south of here.  If you happen across it at some point, I'd love to get some.  I think Oleg would appreciate the soup, too!"

The party sets out to the southeast, following Oleg's directions in search of the hermit Bokken.

Around mid-day, the party sees a small finger of smoke reaching into the sky from a small hut, and soon locates it.

Pulling up, a stooped old man, peers out the window and opens the door.

"Eh!  Oleg, back so soon?" The hermit squints, as if trying to decide which one of you might actually be Oleg.  "Why'd you bring so many people with you?  Well, I don't have any potions to give you, I'm running low on supplies!"

"Hello Bokken. This is not Oleg, but rather some friends of his. I am Thurak. We were sent by the Lord Mayor of Rostov to help clear this area of bandits. We recently helped Oleg dealing with some of those scum, and he mentioned that he had not checked in on you recently. We wanted to inquire with you as to your health and welfare, and to see if you have had any similar troubles."

Aeron dismounted from Mick and walked up beside Thurak.  "Aeron, at your service as well.  Have things been alright?  Why are your supplies running low?"  He glanced around for any signs that the brewer had been given any trouble.

Oghul was not much of a talker. She decided to leave the others to do the introductions. As they dismounted, she spurred her horse and gave the hut a wide berth, galloping in a large circle to check for signs of trouble further away, and particularly from the opposite direction to the trading post. It would take only a few minutes and she would double back to the front of the hut.

---

Oghul Qaimish rolled 16 using 1d20+14.  Perception
 Next time I’ll just take 10 :)

The stooped man inside peered more closely at the group of adventurers gathered outside his hut.

"Huh.  Newcomers.  Don't see new people around here often.  But you know Oleg?  Did he send you?  That wife of his is always worried about me.  I've told her a dozen times that I'm safe.  But a man gets threatened by bandits one time....

He sighs, and walks out into the yard, examining you more closely.  "But since you're here....Well, Oleg always wants potions to sell at his trading post, and it's easier to get them from me than from some alchemist in Brevoy.  But these old bones don't travel as well as they used to.  There's a large thicket of fangberries that grow about 55 miles southwest of Oleg's place.  Bring me some of those back, and I can make some potions for Oleg's, and I'll give you all something too.  But be careful down there!  The fangberries are named that because they've got wicked thorns on them.  You'll want some gloves to harvest them.  And people aren't the only things that like to eat them - you'll probably run into some kind of animal trying to eat them.  Mostly, it's deer or squirrels or the like."

"Oh, yes, fangberries..." the elven girl blinks, caught off-guard by the request as if there aren't more pressing matters to be concerned about, and repeats the name inquiringly to Oghul as she returns from her scouting. "I'm sure we can keep an eye out for them, but the bandit problem is pressing. If all is well here, we should make haste."

"You said you were threatened by bandits once? Can you tell us any more? We are here to eradicate them, and any information you can provide will aid us in our efforts."

He scratches his head.  "The bandits?" He shrugs.  "Dunno when exactly it was.  Maybe a few months back?  I think they realized that trying to threaten an absent-minded alchemist who makes healing potions and also gentle yet surprisingly effective laxatives might be an extremely bad idea."

He shrugs again.  "Needless to say, after their 'accidents' were over, they never bothered me again, content to get the potions once I delivered them to Oleg."

He smiles.  "But yes, those bandits are troublesome.  Take care of them.  But if you see any fangberries, I'd appreciate them."

Satisfied that there was no immediate danger, Oghul spurred her boisterous foal and galloped back towards the others. This time she dismounted and perused the house as well as the old man. He did not strike as someone who would be wise to play tough with the brigands, but then it seemed to have worked for him so far.

 “Fangberries, huh... if we were to encounter worse than deer or squirrel, what would that be? Also are there any features nearby the grove? It would help to locate it.”

Fifty five miles was quite a distance, more than one would expect to travel for some fruit. Even valuable fruits. She wondered if there was more that the alchemist was not telling them.

Obviously their main concern was the bandits, but if this fellow was to become an ally, they should listen to his concerns.

---

Know nature: 13
This message was last edited by the player at 01:57, Fri 25 Dec 2020.

Aeron nodded as the hermit spoke of the group taking care of the bandits.  "We will certainly do so."

He was not particularly worried about the fangberries at the moment, but perhaps after the bandits were dealt with they would be a worthwhile bit of side-business.  While the bandits might not threaten the life and livelihood of this man, they were a great threat to anyone else in the region.

"We will certainly acquire you the fangberries if it becomes possible to do, but our main focus must be on eliminating the bandit threat. I am glad to hear that you are safe from them, and amused by your most effective solution to their harassment."

Thurak says. Looking out at the others, he continues, "It seems the 'good herbalist is safe for now. I propose that we head towards the bandit camp now, and strike while they are hopefully still unsuspecting."

Saviǣ nods in agreement with Thurak; if they move quickly to the bandit camp they might still make it before the last group are missed. She had no more to say to the old man, but made kind as they parted ways.

 Oghul tried to get more information from the old alchemist before they left, but otherwise agreed that making haste towards the bandit camp was the way to go.

“If we approach their camp carefully, we may be able to catch a few of them unaware and alone. We’re not exactly a war party, more of a little group of skirmishers.”

One thing she was good at would be traveling fast through the plains, so she was ready for it.

Aeron nodded at the suggestion of not making a full-frontal attack, regretting again that he did not have a unit of cavalry with him.  Nevertheless, this group had been incredibly effective in their previous combat.  "Let's be off, then.  The idea of catching as many as possible unawares sounds wise."

Leaving Bokken's hut, the group travels southwest across the plains.  As the group travels across the plains, Aeron point out a suspicous area riddled with bones, and the party steers clear.  The group enters the woods, and Oghul leads them down an old game trail, shushing the party as they skirt the outline of a clearing filled with moon radishes as some sort of small creatures dart for cover.  Eventually, the party finds an well-worn trail in the increasingly wet ground as they near the Thorn River.  Oghul motions the party to stop and points ahead to a bandit in a platform built into the trees to the south.

OOC:
Crossing through two hexes.
First hex: suspicious clearing with bones
Second hex: moon radishes
Third hex: Thorn River Camp
See Map Thread for current battle map.

This message was last edited by the GM at 14:50, Tue 19 Jan 2021.

 During their travel, Oghul makes notes of the areas of interest, to be added to a map when they get a chance. For the time being, memory will have to do.

---

 As they get closer to the Thorn river, Oghul suggests they dismount. As they come near to the camp, she points to the platform, and up, and then hushes:
 "One lookout... can you take him out in silence? Approach stealthily, I can do a diversion."

 The druidess looks innocuous enough, and her boisterous foal is nothing of a war mount. She could approach casually, pretending to take her horse to the water, buying just a few seconds of distraction to get the sentinel neutralised.

---

ooc: if you're ok with the plan, Oghul leaves her backpack behind and casually comes out of the cover, leading her horse to the water / you do the rest :D

"I'm not good at stealth, particularly not in my armor. I suggest we split into two groups. Those who are less stealthy stay back as a reserve force. Anyone who is stealthy try to sneak up and take them out. I will grant you a quick blessing before you go."

No problem with that strategy, but Thurak is very much NOT stealth.
Thurak will cast guidance on everyone before they go. You will get a +1 circumstance bonus on a single roll made within the next minute. Either the stealth check, or your first attack roll most likely, your choice.

"I think we have discussed this before.  Most of us have no ability to sneak at all."  Whispered Aeron, wearing fairly sturdy armor as well as a shield.  "Perhaps we instead all use our ranged weapons and all attack at once?  Or let her lure him out and we just charge him wholesale once he's on the ground?"



With Thurak's blessing, Aeron would be up to a -2 stealth.

"I'm a fair shot, but my coin wouldn't be on me felling a man quietly with one arrow." Saviǣ comments as she pulls a longbow taken from the last group of bandits from her shoulder and readies an arrow. She looks about to try and determine where the main camp might be located and suggests, "Could we try to go around?"

“There would be an other sentinel. The longer the wait, the riskier it gets,” said Oghul as she slid her pack off her shoulder on the ground.
“I’ll go ahead. The moment you have a clear shot, take it. The three of you at once. Make sure a missed arrow wouldn’t end up in the camp though.”

 With this, the middle aged druidess grabbed her horse’s lead and casually walked towards the river, limping slightly as she did. She was bot being stealthy in the slightest, but tried to not make a show of being too conspicuous either. Temudjin whinnied softly, as if on command, as they reached the water.

 The half elf expected some reaction from the brigand, if only one of those whistles she was all too accustomed to. But mostly she expected an arrow to hit him and drop him dead before he could set off an alarm.

---

Action: really it’s just walking, but let me know if I need to roll anything.

Unsure of what they need a distraction for if they're just going to shoot at the man, Saviǣ simply shrugs and draws back the knocked arrow, takes aim, and waits for the cue to fire.

10:05, Today: Saviae Aessildais rolled 24,1 using d20+4,1d8.  Attack/Damage.
10:05, Today: Saviae Aessildais rolled 20,9 using d20+4,2d8.  Crit Confirm/Damage.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:06, Tue 26 Jan 2021.

Similarly unsure, Aeron drew out the bandit squad leader's bow and nocked an arrow.  He readied an arrow to fire.  Then, when it looked like all was ready and the bandit came down to or was otherwise distracted by Oghule, he let the arrow fly.


10:00, Today: Aeron rolled 19,6 using 1d20+2,1d8+2.  Arrow!

Thurak stays back, hoping that the archers take out the bandit, but ready to burst into action to support the others if needed.

The bandit on the platform sees Oghul approach and starts to react, raising his hands to his mouth and turning to the east, but before he can do anything else, Saviae's arrow takes him through the throat, and he falls lifelessly onto his platform.

 Oghul heard the arrows shoot and stick in the sentinel’s neck. She was glad her little diversion had been superfluous, as it seems like it could very well have back fired.

In haste the half-elf rushed to the platform, to make sure that the body would not make a sound if it fell to the ground.

"Well shot!" Thurak says quietly. "Now let's move quickly and take the rest of them."

Thurak advances with Oghul, trying his best not to make too much noise blundering through the woods. Hopefully the bandits would be relying on the sentinel.

Aeron put his bow away and hopped into Mick's saddle.  "He was going to call a warning to the east.  Let's get there quickly and deal with the next one or ones before they notice that he's been corpsified."

He put away the bow and readied his lance.

Oghul catches up with the others and picks up her satchel. She is still leading her young foal by the bridle. As she reaches Saviæ, she unceremoniously grabs her forearm:
 "A fine shot, and I've seen many..." she says in a hush.
 "You would make a decent horseback archer."

 In her culture, this was perhaps one of the finest position one could hold, though this may be lost in translation.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:59, Wed 27 Jan 2021.

"Oh!" Saviǣ exclaims both in surprise and dismay, moving her hand to cover her mouth as she sees their arrows take the man's life. His isn't the first life she's taken, but something about being the ambusher rather than the ambushee made her feel a bit more guilt. She shied away from the others' praise--she had less control over the shot than they give her credit for--and laughs off Oghul's comment with joke, "I think the horse would disagree." In fact, the whole ride down Saviǣ had held on to her horse's reigns like her life depended on it while her mount seemed wholly unconcerned with its burden.

As the team begins to move in the elf knocks another arrow and joins with them, moving tactically to take cover among the trees and keeping an eye open for the bandits.

The party moves up to the platform, survey the area carefully as they do.  To the south (K5) is an old broken-down wagon.  Two thick logs lie positioned alongside the forest trail to the east (K4).  Further east is another bandit in a watchtower (K2). Beyond him is a clearing (K1), around which a group of bandits sits, drinking a resting.  A woman at the center of the group seems to be in charge.  Possibly, she is the sadistic woman that Oleg and Svetlana mentioned came to the first visits to their trading post.
Unfortunately, at this moment, Aeron's heavy armor causes him to stumble, and he snaps a twig under his steel-clad foot.  The rest of the bandits continue carousing, and even the sentry in the tree pays this no heed, but the woman at the center of the clearing is more attentive.  Her gaze whips around, catching sight of the party and the dead bandit guard at K3.

It is a SURPRISE ROUND!
Kressle got a 19 for iniatitive.  If you beat her, you can act first in the surprise round.  (You can have a standard action or a move action during a surprise round, but not both.). (The normal bandits are all unable to act in the surprise round.)
Map

10:59, Today: DM, on behalf of Aeron, rolled 8 using 1d20+2.  Stealth.
10:58, Today: DM, for the NPC Kressle, rolled 15 using 1d20+6.  Perception.
10:57, Today: DM, for the NPC Bandits, rolled 33 using 5d20.  Perception Roll for Bandits.
11:04, Today: DM, for the NPC Bandits, rolled 17 using 1d20+2.
11:03, Today: DM, for the NPC Kressle, rolled 19 using 1d20+1.

Thurak had been doing his best not to be the one to give away the group's stealth, and as such is slow to react to the sudden appearance of foes.

I'm last in initiative!
11:15, Today: Thurak rolled 4 using 1d20+1.  initiative!

I don't think Oghul will be going first...
 Oghul Qaimish rolled 8 using 1d20+4.  initiative.

Saviǣ flinches at the sound of Aeron's twig and is caught looking in his direction rather than to the bandits.

09:45, Today: Saviae Aessildais rolled 12 using 1d20+4.  Initiative.

Aeron nudged Mick with his knee, and the horse began moving forward to line up a charge when they got a chance.  "Move to positions you can fight from, I'll distract them for a moment."  He said quietly to the group as they moved.

Aeron then willed a celestial eagle into existence and pointed toward the woman in the middle of the bandit ring.  He knew it wouldn't last long against that many foes - or likely even one - but it would hopefully allow his companions to close some distance or get behind some cover before getting targetted with arrows.  If the eagle went down, he hoped that the bandits' next concern would be him and Mick getting ready to ride one of them down.


09:29, Today: Aeron rolled 21 using 1d20+1.  Init.

No Action: Guide with Knees (auto-succeeds w/ his modifier)
Mick's move action: toward Bandits trying to line up a charge (as directed by Aeron)
Aeron's Standard: Summon Eagle
Eagle Swift: Smite evil on nearest Bandit
Eagle Standard: Charge center Bandit

10:08, Today: Aeron rolled 11 using 1d20+5.  Eagle (smiting) attack on person in center of bandit ring.
10:09, Today: Aeron rolled 3 using 1d4+2.  dmg (+1 if target is evil).

The celestial eagle dives at Kressle, who avoid injury thanks to her armor.  In return, the bandit leader draws a pair of handaxes and slices into the eagle, wounding it.  She yells for the other bandits to prepare for combat.

OOC: Summon Monster is a full-round action.  I'll let Aeron start the summoning, but the bird doesn't appear until next round, when this same action will trigger.
Okay, fixed this action.  The summon happens, the eagle misses Kressle.  She attacks it, but doesn't kill it.

All other characters may act in the surprise round
Map Updated: link to a message in this game
10:58, Today: DM, for the NPC Kressle, rolled 5 using 1d6+1.  Damage 2.
10:58, Today: DM, for the NPC Kressle, rolled 4 using 1d6+3.  Damage 1.
10:57, Today: DM, for the NPC Kressle, rolled 15 using 1d20+5.  Attack 2.
10:57, Today: DM, for the NPC Kressle, rolled 16 using 1d20+5.  Attack 1.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:23, Mon 01 Feb 2021.

Thurak calls out a prayer to the gods of order. "Guide our blows as we end this lawlessness!"

Cast bless, all allies get +1 morale bonus on attack rolls and saving throws against fear for 1 minute.

Trying her luck with the bow again, Saviǣ quickly takes aim at the unaware lookout above--it wouldn't do to be in open battle below with him still standing--and releases her arrow. Once again the winds seem to be on her side.

HP: 9/9   AC: 15   F/R/W: +3/+4/+1   CMD: 15
Standard: Longbow vs lookout
(Including Bless) Hit: AC 25, Crit: AC 12, Damage: 7, Crit: +14

16:44, Today: Saviae Aessildais rolled 24,7 using d20+4,1d8.  Attack/Damage.
16:44, Today: Saviae Aessildais rolled 11,14 using d20+4,2d8.  Crit Confirm/Damage.

 Oghul was once again amazed by the marksmanship displayed by Saviæ. And she though she was a swashbuckler!

 The druidess used a brief moment to start casting a spell. Imediately the meagre vegetation around the campfire sprung to life, grasping at the bandits' legs, hindering their movements and wrestling them.

 Meanwhile her boisterous foal jumped into action, running after Aeron to support him and his mount. The young horse was not all too smart or coordinated yet, so the best he could do was copy others.

---

Cast Entangle centred behind Kessle (40ft radius just reached platform)
Temudjin (Horse animal companion) will follow Aeron and do as he does (ready action)

https://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/e/entangle/
https://www.d20pfsrd.com/gamem...itions#TOC-Entangled

Aeron was about to charge when he saw the tall weeds sprout up and start grabbing everything in sight.  He looked at Oghul in frustration, then sheathed his lance, and drew his bow as he moved Mick to back away.


OOC:
Move - sheathe lance
Move - Draw bow
Free - Direct Mick to double move to left-hand edge of the map.

Saviae's shot strikes true, though avoids a fatal shot.  The bandit winces in pain, and fires back, hitting her.  He drops to the floor of the platform, making a smaller target.

Meanwhile, Oghul's spell goes off.  Two of the bandits become entangled in the growning plants, while Kressle and two of the other bandits manage to shake off the grasping vines.  Kressle slashes into the hawk again, killing it.  She and all the bandits move from the affected area, though the two affected by the spell require all of their movement to do so.

OOC:
Map Updated: Map
Bandit hits Saviae for 3 damage.
Kressle kills summoned bird.
All enemies move from entangled area.  Two bandits not affected by Entangle draw longbows, but do not attack, moving behind the cover of a tree.  Bandits affected by Entangle double move to exit area.
Bandit on platform has +4 AC from cover.

20:44, Today: DM, for the NPC Bandit, rolled 3 using 1d8.  Damage.
20:43, Today: DM, for the NPC Bandit, rolled 21 using 1d20+2.  Attack.
20:41, Today: DM, for the NPC Kressle, rolled 24 using 1d20+7.  Attack.
20:31, Today: DM, for the NPC Bandit Reflex Saves, rolled 61 using 5d20.

Oghul is surprised to see Aeron turning back, as is her horse who ignores the motion altogether and presses forward. He charges the closest enemy, the bandit at the southern edge of the camp. The young foal lacks in fighting skills but makes up for it in bloodied eagerness. He simply rams into the man, cutting his breath short.

The druidess meanwhile presses towards the shallow river ford and pulls out her sling. She takes aim and looses a stone on the brigand leader, but her shot missed widely.

She finds herself in a less than ideal strategic position, and makes a note to discuss this with the others later on. Maybe they should have agreed roles and responsibilities beforehand.

horse charges the bottom bandit, facing both. Hits AC22 for 7 damage
 Oghul moves and fires sling, misses widely (AC9 with range penalty)

Thurak lifts his shield, holding it over his head to protect from arrow fire from above, trusting in his armor to shield the rest of his body. He bulls forward, heading towards the ford. "You bandits! Surrender and face the law or be cut down where you stand!"

Double move 40 feet towards the bandits (moving through the ford).
Don't forget that Bless grants everyone in the party +1 morale bonus to attack rolls for another 9 rounds.

The young elf hisses as the bandit's arrow tears through her cloth armor and draws blood as it grazes off her shoulder. Feeling exposed using the bow, she looks about at the others to see if anyone else would deal with the bandit in the trees, but when it becomes clear it will have to be her she moves for cover behind a tree(+4 AC) before taking aim and releasing another arrow. This time, however, the winds do not favor her and the arrow breaks harmlessly against the man's platform.

HP: 6/9   AC: 15(+Cover)   F/R/W: +3/+4/+1   CMD: 15
Move: To Cover  Standard: Attack lookout w/ Bow
21:06, Today: Saviae Aessildais rolled 10,3 using d20+5,1d8.  Attack/Damage w/ Bless.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:09, Fri 19 Feb 2021.

Aeron fired an arrow in the general direction of a bandit while maneuvering Mick to line up a charge at a broad area to engage the bandits in the near future.

22:55, Today: Aeron rolled 7,4 using 1d20+2,1d8+2.  Arrow!
   (should have been 1 higher, still not relevant)

The lead bandit is stunned by the sudden arrival of the horse, and even more stunned by its attack.  He hisses, drops his bow, and draws his short sword, attacking the horse but missing.
Seeing this, his companion likewise drops his own bow and moves to engage with the horse, drawing his own sword as he does so, but has no more success than his comrade.
Kressle finally moves out of the entangled area, moving to flank the horse, but the wily animal avoids her handaxe as well.

The bandit in the outpost takes aim at the oncoming Thurak, rising, shooting, and then dropping prone to his platform again.  One of the other bandits sneaks around to the north, finding a shot at Saviae through the trees.  Both shots miss.  The final bandit just manages to extricate himself from the mass of entangled vines but in unable to act this round.


OOC:
Updated Map
Okay, I've moved the bandits back a little bit.  As I said in the OOC, I missed that for those that failed the save, movement cost is quadrupled?  Doubled for difficult terrain, and doubled again for Entangle.  I think you're right in that I mis-counted Kressle's movement, too.  She shouldn't have been able to escape last round.


11:40, Today: DM, for the NPC Bandit 3, rolled 8 using 1d20+2.  Longbow attack.
11:38, Today: DM, for the NPC Bandit 2, rolled 11 using 1d20+2.  Longbow Attack.
11:37, Today: DM, for the NPC Bandit 1, rolled 10 using 1d20+1.  Reflex Save.
11:35, Today: DM, for the NPC Kressle, rolled 11 using 1d20+9.  Flanking attack horse.
11:32, Today: DM, for the NPC Kressle, rolled 23 using 1d20+4.  Reflex Save.
11:31, Today: DM, for the NPC Bandit 5, rolled 10 using 1d20+2.  Attack horse.
11:29, Today: DM, for the NPC Bandit 2, rolled 6 using 1d20+2.  Attack Horse.

Frustrated by the limitations of archery, Saviǣ tosses aside the bandit's longbow and begins to move across the open field, drawing her rapier and holding it aloft ahead of her to strike at any incoming arrows.

HP: 6/9   AC: 16  F/R/W: +3/+4/+1   CMD: 15
Move: Draw Rapier Standard: Move 30' East

Thurak jogs forward, slow but implacable, ignoring the arrows pinging against armor and shield. Once he gets close enough, he shouts a word of magical power at the lead bandit. "Flee!"

Move Action: Move forward 20 feet towards Aeron and horse
Standard Action: Cast Command: Flee on the lead bandit. Will save (DC 15) or must flee directly away from me, provoking AoOs from motion as normal.
Bless Duration: 8 rounds
Spells Used:
1st level: 2/4

(Oghul should have been at the river already on the map)

Seeing her young and boisterous horse companion in trouble, Oghul hurries forward to assist. She catches up with Thurak and uses the fallen log for cover as she takes aim.

Temudjin takes a step back (diagonal left-down on the map) to avoid being surrounded, and rears to fall back with all his weight and two sharp hooves on one of the bandit. He nearly buried him into the ground.

The druidess releases a stone with her simple sling, hitting the wounded bandit and drawing a drop of blood.

---

Horse hits AC24 for 5 damage and 14 for 3 damage
Oghul hits AC16 for 1 damage.

46, Today: Oghul Qaimish rolled 16,1 using D20+2,d4-1.  Sling v wounded bandit.
08:45, Today: Oghul Qaimish rolled 5,3 using D4+3,d6+1.  Damage.
08:44, Today: Oghul Qaimish rolled 24,6,14 using D20+5,d20,d20.  Full attack fresh bandit.

Aeron dropped his bow and spurred Mick forward to charge Kressle.  He drew his lance as he charged forward into the thick of things, gunning for the bandit leader again.

00:16, Today: Aeron rolled 12,16 using 1d20+11,2d8+8.  Charge with Bless.
00:17, Today: Aeron rolled 17,7 using 1d20+8,1d4+5.  Horse charge attack w/ bless.

The party advances, and Thurak holds off his spell long enough for Aeron to charge in.  With the combined might of Aeron's initial charge and the attack granted as she begins to flee, the bandit leader falls.
Temudjin brings down another bandit, and Oghul's sling makes the last bandit on the ground to the south flee.
Another bandit is still in his platform, and fires a quick shot at Thurak, and the two bandits to the north, having been spared the worst of the party's assault, continue to advance and attack Thurak and Saviae with arrows.

OOC:
Updated Map
Bandit 1 attacks Thurak, hits AC 5.  Bandit 3 attacks Thurak, hits AC 15 for 3 damage.
Bandit 2 attacks Saviae, hits AC 11.

09:27, Today: DM, for the NPC Bandit 3, rolled 3 using 1d8.  Damage.
09:27, Today: DM, for the NPC Bandit 3, rolled 15 using 1d20+2.  Attack Thurak.
09:27, Today: DM, for the NPC Bandit 1, rolled 5 using 1d20.  Attack Thurak (with Cover).
09:26, Today: DM, for the NPC Bandit 2, rolled 12 using 1d20+2.  Attack Saviae.
09:24, Today: DM, for the NPC Aeron, rolled 10 using 1d8+4.  Damage.
09:23, Today: DM, for the NPC Aeron, rolled 18 using 1d20+4.  AoO.
09:21, Today: DM, for the NPC Kressle, rolled 19 using 1d20+4.  Reflex vs Entangle.
09:20, Today: DM, for the NPC Horse, rolled 8 using 1d20+4.  AoO vs Kressle.
09:18, Today: DM, for the NPC Kressle, rolled 10 using 1d20+1.  Will Save vs DC 15.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:46, Mon 22 Feb 2021.

Thurak continues to hold his shield to ward off the arrows, moving slowly and deliberately. He calls out in a loud voice to the remaining bandits, focusing on the one up on the platform. "Your leader is dead, cut down from behind as she fled like a coward. Half of your fellow bandits are dead as well. I give you this one chance. Surrender now and accept the law, or die."
Thurak stumbles over a branch as he does so, somewhat losing the effect. Still, if the men are weak-kneed enough, maybe it will work.


11:33, Today: Thurak rolled 12 using 1d20+11.  intimidate.
Free Action: Talk
Standard Action: Intimidate to demoralize the bandit on the platform (DC is 10+HD+wis modifier)
Bless Duration: 7 rounds
Spells Used:
1st level: 2/4

Now within striking distance, Saviǣ twirls her rapier in a brief, showy salute to prepare before she throws her arm to the side to shrug her shoulder cape behind her and dashes forward--the cape billowing behind her as she moves. Stopping at the last moment before colliding the nearest bandit, the fencer thrust her rapier with precision at the untrained rapscallion.

Swift: Enhance Rapier +1, Full: Charge nearest bandit
HP: 6/9   AC: 14(incl. Charge)   F/R/W: +3/+4/+1   CMD: 15
Arcane Pool: 3/4   Rapier +1: 10 Rounds
Hit: AC 19   Damage: 4
12:07, Today: Saviae Aessildais rolled 18*,4 using d20+8*,d6+2.  Charge/Damage w/ Bless.
*Bonus should have been +9.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:15, Mon 22 Feb 2021.

Aeron and Mick held near the foe closest to them, ready to strike if he did not heed Thurak's warning.  "Don't be a fool.  Surrender while there's still time."  He said to the naer-do-well, affirming Thurak's offer.

OOC:
Both ready action to attack if the bandit does anything but surrender and speak.

In case it's needed:

23:17, Today: Aeron rolled 8,9 using 1d20+6,1d4+5.  Mick's readied attack, if triggered.

23:15, Today: Aeron rolled 10,8 using 1d20+7,1d8+4.  Aeron's readied attack, if triggered.

 Offering surrender or parley was very much in Oghul's spirit, however her companion had no such restraint. Oblivious to Aeron's words –which he does not understand– he rears and strikes down the brigand with his heavy hooves.

 The druidess for her part assessed the situation and picked a target, then released a sling stone with accuracy. She moved to follow Saviæ and maintain the pressure.

---

Temudjin full attack
Oghul sling attack + move

14:18, Today: Oghul Qaimish rolled 17,1 using d20+3,d4-1.  sling vs brigand.

14:17, Today: Oghul Qaimish rolled 5,6,2 using d4+3,d6+1,d6+1.  damage.
14:16, Today: Oghul Qaimish rolled 13,12,9 using D20+5,d20,d20.  Temudjin full attack.

The bandit on top of the platform throws down his weapons and puts up his hands, though he stays ensconced in his tree, terrified of the snarling, kicking horse below.

Meanwhile, the two bandits who escaped last from the entangle have not thrown down their weapons, and the one at the recieving end of Saviae's thrust snarls and hits back while his companion (the target of Oghul's sling) moves to assist.

Both attacks land against the elf.

OOC:
The bandit on the platform surrenders.
The two bandits to the north concentrate on Saviae, one hitting AC 19 for 3 damage, and one hitting AC 14 for 6 damage.
Updated Battle Map

10:09, Today: DM, for the NPC bandit 1, rolled 6 using 1d6+1.  shortsword damage.
10:09, Today: DM, for the NPC bandit 1, rolled 14 using 1d20+2.  shortsword attack.
10:08, Today: DM, for the NPC bandit 2, rolled 3 using 1d6+1.  shortsword damage.
10:08, Today: DM, for the NPC Bandit 2, rolled 19 using 1d20+2.  Shortsword attack.

Still over-extended by her reckless thrust, Saviǣ is nearly helpless as the two bandits return with their own blades and each land telling blows. She shrinks back from the fight, releasing her grip on her rapier as she grasps at the wounds, and soon falls unconscious to the ground.

 Just a note, I had Oghul spend a move action to follow Saviæ in the previous round, in anticipation of my next action:

---

 Oghul sees Saviæ dropping under the attacks of the brigands.

 She rushes forwards to catch up with her, quickly casting a spell as she kneels down. She restore some health in the wounded elf.

 She shouts behind: "Little help here!"

---

move + cast cure light wounds

 Oghul Qaimish rolled 9 using 1d8+1.  cure light wounds (reroll 1?)
 Oghul Qaimish rolled 2 using 1d8+1.  cure light wounds.

"On it!" Aeron called as he rode north to engage the still-hostile bandits before they hurt his allies any further.  He struck out with his lance, as Mick bit with far greater skill and ferocity.


22:22, Today: Aeron rolled 15,6 using 1d20+7,1d8+4.  Aeron's attack.
22:22, Today: Aeron rolled 24,8 using 1d20+6,1d4+5.  Mick's attack.

Thurak dashes over to Saviæ's side, cursing his armor and it's slowness. As he approaches, he shouts a word of magic command to another of the bandits. "Get down and stay that way. Now Fall! He says, lacing the last word with magical intent.


Move Action: Move 20 feet closer to Saviae and bandits
Standard Action: Cast command: Fall on one of the bandits (if they're still alive after Aeron + Mick) Will save (DC 15) or fall prone and stay that way for one round
Bless Duration: 7 rounds
Spells Used:
1st level: 3/4

Aeron and Mick's combined attacks kills the two remaining hostile bandits, leaving only the one who has surrendered on the forest platform.

With the enemy fallen, Thurak, instead of wasting his magic on the foe instead hurries over to Saviæ, bending down to infuse her with the healing power of positive energy.

Instead of casting command, instead cast cure light wounds on Saviae.
16:12, Today: Thurak rolled 4 using 1d8+1.  CLW.
Spells Used:
1st level: 3/4

Saviǣ takes a sudden, deep breath as the healing spell pulls her back into consciousness. She instinctively looks down at her wounds as they are still stitching themselves closed and takes a moment deal with the shock of it all. She blinks and sighs in relief as she looks to Thurak to thank and ask him, "Glad you're here! Did we win?"
HP: 3/9
This message was last edited by the player at 19:41, Sat 06 Mar 2021.

Oghul gets back up and considers the situation. The enemies have fallen, save for the one still perched on the platform. Temudjin is circling nervously around the tree, thumping the ground with his hooves regularly.
 “Yes, we won,” she replies to Saviæ. “We have one prisoner to take.”
She points to the platform.

The druidess slowly walks over to the centre of the encampment, eyes on the ground as well as in the air, paying attention to anything and everything, special or mundane.

---

Take 20 on a perception check for 34

Aeron dismounted from Mick and began going over the bodies of the fallen and whatever other resources they located.  He divided the goods into four groups and asked the others if they agreed with his assessment:

1) Anything that could identifiably be returned to its original owner once the current situation was fully dealt with.
2) Any other currency to divvy up between those risking their lives here and now to end the bandit threat.
3) Supplies that could be used by the group.
4) Trade goods to sell on the cheap to Oleg improve his situation without it looking like charity, including any supplies deemed unhelpful to the group.

Looking through the bandits' belongings finds a plethora of gear.

Their leader, Kressle, had a Potion of Cure Light wounds, studded leather armor, 2 masterwork handaxes, 4 daggers and 85 gp.

Each bandit had leather armor, a longbow, short sword, trail rations, 10gp, and a quiver with  15 arrows.

In addition to mundane supplies like food, firewood and tents in the center of the camp, the bandits' spoils include 321 sp, 90 gp, a pair of silver earrings worth 150gp, a wooden music box worth 90gp, three crates of furs and hides marked with Oleg's symbol, and a polished wooden case of potent herbal liquor, there are still 8 bottles with liquor left inside.

Saviǣ gingerly picks herself up from the ground and surveys the two bandits so easily dispatched by their knight, muttering to herself, "How embarrassing..." as she retrieves and cleans her dropped rapier. As the looting commences she does her wizardly duty of ferreting out any magic items with a Detect Magic, and asks the others, "What do we do about the man in the tree? And the fallen ... do we make sure they're finished? Try to save who we can? Leave them to the wilderness and fate?"

 “The survivor can dig graves for his fallen companions. It would not be right to leave them to rot out here,” Oghul said, answering two questions with one answer.

“I agree with your view on spoils. If personal items are found, we should leave them with Oleg until a rightful owner can be identified. Coin should go towards our expenses as representatives of the Law here.”

“I can load a good amount of gear on Temudjin, once he calms down.”

She set out to do just that, before the young foal tried to uproot the platform. Once she had regained control over her horse companion, the sentinel could come down and start working on those graves. She hoped he had a shovel somewhere, otherwise it would be a pain of a job.

"First, he will tell us what he knows. You! Are there any other bandits who weren't here in this camp? Do you have any other bases or haunts. Speak honestly, for lies will be held against you when you face the law, while honesty may earn you some measure of mercy." Thurak calls out.

Turning to the others, he speaks more quietly, so that the bandit would not hear the details. As far as I'm concerned, we should treat him the same as we treated the bandits we captured at Oleg's. A quick death is mercy enough for scum like these.

Looking over the loot, he considers. "I agree with the others. The earrings and music box are distinguishable enough that perhaps someone can recognize them. The goods marked for Oleg are obviously his, and the healing potion and liquor we should show to Bokken to make sure they are not his. I for one would prefer not to drink either until I am convinced they do not include the "surprisingly effective laxatives" the man mentioned." Thurak said, a rare grin surfacing on his usually dour countenance.

"Speak up if you want to live!" Saviǣ calls up to the cowering bandit.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:34, Mon 22 Mar 2021.

The surrounded bandit raises his head.

"Uh, no, that's not all of us here.  But this is this is our camp.  There's gorups that come and go, but we all meet up here and store the captured loot before we take it down to the Stag Lord.  There's maybe a half-dozen more.  Look, I just got into this because I didn't have any better options, but I'm not loyal to the Stag Lord or anyone else."

Once the bandit starts talking, it seems like he can't stop.
"Tell the truth, he's a bloody drunk.  A lot of this loot is just liquor that he demands.  Always more of that.  But drunk or not, he's a deadeye with a bow, and strong as an ox.  I saw him crush a prisoner's head to mush with one hand!  And never takes that creepy stag helmet off either.  When they've had a little too much, some of the other men claim he's got no face at all under that thing.  But I think they're wrong.  I think that is his face!"

The man shudders again.  "Look, you've got no reason to trust me, and I know I'm a dirty bandit.  But the Stag Lord doesn't care about us.  He just cares about his liquor.  Kressle, too.  Something wrong with that woman, and she just cared about getting fun by inflicting pain, and the Stag Lord let her do that.  But there's too many to keep track of, truth be told.  None of them will care squat about what happens to me, so why should I care about them?  We've got a passphrase we use when we report in - it changes every couple months, but the most recent one is 'By the bloody bones of St. Gilmorg, who wants to know?'  Just head down to the fort on the northeast shores of the Tuskwater, and when they challenge you, shout that out.  But don't head down there unless you've got a death wish, because the Stag Lord won't let you leave alive."

The bandit looks down hopefully from his perch.

« This is all interesting information you are volunteering... what is your name, brigand? And what would you have us do with you? Think before you speak, and remember we come bearing the authority of the sword lords... »

Evidently there was no promise there, but Oghul wanted to believe that there was an other path possible beyond extermination of any who had ever walked with the bandits... redemption was not the easy route, but perhaps a more rewarding one for those who have been tasked with bringing justice to these lands.

Aside from the ongoing conversation, the druidess will go around the camp and collect supplies, weapons, and valuables for sorting.

Saviǣ considers what the man has said for a few moments before calling back up, "And when are these other half dozen due back?" She looks to the others of the party and suggests, more quietly, "We could wait in ambush to finish off this camp ... but it sounds like eliminating them all may not be a task we're up to yet. And staying here too long would make us vulnerable."

"You didn't have better options? There are always better options than murder and mayhem. I've seen plenty like you. To a one, they've rejected honest hard work in favor of seeking a life of ease on the backs of their moral betters. Fah." Thurak says, his lip curling in disgust.

"We were hired to rid the area of scum, and I can't imagine the other groups from this camp are any tougher than the ones we've already taken out. I say we stay here, lay an ambush as they return and take them out. I'm more concerned about this stag lord. If he's as a tough as that one said, we'll need a more careful plan. But first things first. Let's finish eliminating this camp, then return to collect the bounty we've had so far. The gold will let us be better equipped for taking on bigger game."

Thurak joins Oghul in looking around for anything useful the group can scavenge from the camp.

The bandit nods.  "Rulf.  As to what to do with me, well, I would prefer that I live, of course.  Won't make any trouble here.  I know I've done bad in the past, but you're obviously going to change things around here.  Maybe you could use some guards to help with that?  Some of my soon-to-be former comrades might thing about attacking Oleg's as revenge, and having a few swords at the fort might give them pause."

The bandit mulls what the group has say, offering his insight into the character of his comrades.  "There's no set schedule.  They're off doing what they will, which is part of what attracted many of them to the bandit lifestyle in the first place.  Less onerous than getting up at dawn to muck the pigs or what-not.  I think if they come back here and find the place deserted, they'll think twice about they have to do.  Maybe they'll go report to the Stag Lord, but most of 'em are more afraid of him than anything else.  A few of them might chance revenge against Oleg, but I think most of them will just sorta drift away, find easier pickings elsewhere."

Saviǣ leaves it to the others to decide what to do with this bandit and whether they would wait around for strays, instead busying herself with rounding up horses and loading them with the recovered goods.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:51, Tue 27 Apr 2021.

Oghul listened to the bandits, trying to read his soul through the words. She was not a very gifted judge of character, as far as she could remember, but she had a higher than average degree of optimism or faith in human nature.

 “Let’s assume for a moment that we do let you live, instead of hanging you for banditry. How would you guarantee your good behaviour at the trading post, and why should we trust you to wield weapons? Particularly when your former fellow bandits attack? What keeps you from turning on us in the heat of battle, when we have our backs to you?”

The druidess tried to empathise with the man, hopefully enticing him to do the same with them.
“You do understand our conundrum? It just would seem so much safer to kill you now.”

"You're information is valuable, and earns some measure of mercy. As for your generous offer, you will not be allowed weapons. You are a criminal and a thug. Perhaps you can be given a chance at restitution, but it will be by working with the sweat of your brow at the lowest of tasks. If we offered you the opportunity to work at the fort as a laborer, hauling goods and cleaning out muck, would you consider that beneath you?"
Thurak asks, his voice mocking. Meanwhile, he watches the man's eyes carefully, looking for signs of resentment, anger, or lies.

20:48, Today: Thurak rolled 16 using 1d20+5.  sense motive.

Rulf shrugs.  "Uh...you could give me one more chance, perhaps?  I'm not sure what I could say to convince you that I won't betray you.  You have a very low opinion of me to start with.  Hopefully throwing myself on your mercy proves the point."

Growing annoyed by the hand-wringing over the bandits they were contracted to rightfully punish, Saviǣ stands with a small huff and plants her hands on her hips as she lays out the options, as she sees them, "We can't just let him go to hurt more people. We could throw him on a gibbet, like we were sent here to do, and no one would question it. Corporal punishment is cheaper than imprisonment and is popular in the River Kingdoms--flog him until he's really repentant, take his thumbs or toes so he can't wield a weapon or march, or brand him to warn civilized society against him. Or there's weregild or indentured service--though we'd have to trust him not to escape or betray us." She looks up to the man's perch, adjusting her cavalier hat to shield her eyes from the sun, before shrugging and adding, "Or we just leave him up there and if he helps us ambush the ones we expect to return we leave it at that."