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.