AC 17
HP 22/22
Effects inspire courage (8/11 rounds per day) +1 atk and damage Arcane Strike +1 dmg
Chaaaarge!
Bronwyn inhales heavily and runs towards the wall and the ceiling.
bronwyn's crawl over the wall and then strike with his sword lands a heavy blow on the old man, but it doesn't take him down.
Zorestar's spell goes off though the dire rat doesn't appear to be interested in him. The wolverine decidesto move backand casts a spell on himself, some of his wounds knitting them up together.
The dire rat tries to take a bite out of Jameson, growloingm but doesn't manage to.
Round 2
HP = 36
AC = 20/11/19 (22/11/21 w/ Shield)
Weapon Equipped = Long Sword
Speed = 20'
Challenge = 1/1
Status Effects = Inspire
I knew this armor would come in handy.
Jameson swings at the dire rat.
Okey Retcon, the old man falls from the ceiling and slams into the floor hard, being knocked unconcious.
Telias casts Guidance on someone stabbing a rat. We'll say jameson. Should be able to walk behind him.
Carina watches as the old man thunks into the ground and then turns as James creates a ratkabob.
Well all, unless Akiros has some other nasty hidden in his pocket, I think a little celebration is awaiting. We need to take the prisoner back to Oleg's and must make a decision on these undead that are supposedly near here. In addition, based on our map, there appears to be quite a bit of this land yet to be explored to the south and west.
"Well all, unless Akiros has some other nasty hidden in his pocket, I think a little celebration is awaiting."
"Ahh, I like the thought of a little well earned respite in this endless drudgery of exploring."
"We need to take the prisoner back to Oleg's and must make a decision on these undead that are supposedly near here."
"Oleg's will be a fine destination. I do not like the idea of undead lurking about this land, but may we please deal with them another day. I think I have had quite enough for one day!"
"Well, I have been thinking about that charge we have been given, and I am sure that Restov will be pleased to hear of our accomplishment! I wonder if there is any verification that we can find to give proof that the stag lord is indeed dead!"
Bronwyn strangely walks down on the wall.
It's finished. This day is finally finished.
I believe our word would suffice, Zorestar. If they trusted us enough to provide that charter they will believe what we bave to say. The attacks will stop and trade will flow, and they'll notice that.
There's still some work to be done.
Telias, would you mind helping us deal with the corpses? We have to dispose of them in a way not to lure animals on our sleeping camp. Me, Jameson and Ganit can help you. Zorestar, we really need a good appraisal on those goods, and you're the man with all the... math. Carina can help you, I don't suspect it will take long. And then, with the place smelling a little less terrible, we can finally celebrate! See if you can find that liquor, that would make for a good celebration.
I cast Detect Magic to determine whether there is anything hiding in the store rooms. After concentrating and scanning the room for a minute, I walk over to Bron, reach out and slap him across the face.
THAT, was for being a fool and running into the wolves den without telling us what you were doing and without any protection.
I then turn and walk away from him to the others.
I tell them what I found while keeping my back to Bron.
I deserved that.
All right fellows let's get to work!
Bronwyn then goes around, trying to at least take out the bandit corpses' so the group can rest without smelling decay.
Jameson, lend me a hand here.
He uses the half-orc's strenght to hoist the iron bars of the owlbear cage back into place after taking the surviving bandits inside.
If it could hold that beast it will hold these folk, right?
Telias more or less helps drag people about sliding them over rocks bumping them hard against walls and otherwise treating them rather roughly. Clearly the idea of survivors bothers him but seems content to leave incidental bruises and scrapes.
"We'll need this one bound, gagged and separated from the rest. Can't afford to give him the option of whatever witchcraft he's capable of," Ganit suggests instinctively.
Might be easier just put the old dog down...
"I saw some rope upstairs we can use but whose to say he won't just change into a squirrel and escape?"
Akiros looks to the group and nods.
"The best treasure is kept down here as I'm certain you'd like to look over." he points to a few stashes down here in the basement before hearing the mention of the undead. "Resting is the best, they don't bother anyone until you walk over the mount outside the walls, they they claw their way out of the ground. Cheap and easy guardians. They've been here before The Stag Lord arrived here."
The only gear the old man had was a club that appears to be quite mundane but what he's guarding is far more valuable.
All this treasure appears to be what the Stag Lord accumilated for his time here stealing from merchants who don't have the proper protection or just came across his bandits from bad luck.
The majority of the wealth kept here consists of mundane trade goods like pelts, furs, tobacco, iron, bronze, miscellaneous weapons and armor (none masterwork or magic), and miscellaneous adventuring gear and tools worth a combined total of 10,275 gp.
In addition, one chest in area Z11a contains 6,750 cp, 3,104 sp, 1,346 gp, and 31 pp, while a large bag in area Z11b contains 4,350 gp in various pieces of stolen jewelry.
Holy Nethys, we appear to have hit the jackpot! This Stag Lord sure has been busy.
Zorestar
"Zorestar, we really need a good appraisal on those goods, and you're the man with all the... math."
"Although arithmetic is the lowest form of math, I would be honored to appraise this great stash!"
Waving his hands over the stash, Zorestar casts Detect Magic and looks for any auras over loot!
Spellcraft
Holy Nethys, we appear to have hit the jackpot! This Stag Lord sure has been busy.
Zorestar
"Zorestar, we really need a good appraisal on those goods, and you're the man with all the... math.""Although arithmetic is the lowest form of math, I would be honored to appraise this great stash!"
Waving his hands over the stash, Zorestar casts Detect Magic and looks for any auras over loot!
Spellcraft 1d20+9
"Although arithmetic is the lowest form of math, I would be honored to appraise this great stash!"
The total value of the other one was ~11,000g so we should just about meet our Wealth by Level after this![/ooc]
Looking at the prisoners, Bronwyn thinks out loud:
I'd rather execute this man instead of holding him. Even though he apparently hated the Stag Lord, he wasted not a second thinking about attacking us. And if he can turn into a mouse and escape to murder us in our sleep, even worse.
He turns to face Jameson, completing his thought.
We have a certain obligation to the letter of the law that brought us here today. We could wake him up and offer him the chance to repent, even though he's not likely to take upon that offer.
The total value of the other one was ~11,000g so we should just about meet our Wealth by Level after this![/ooc]
Carina's eyes grow large at the wealth before her. Far more than she ever imagined. Enough to buy land and build a decent farm with animals in most lands. When she sees the stolen jewelry, she immediately goes over to see if there is any that catches her eye.
When Bron and Ganit begin discussing the prisoners. I would prefer to take them all back alive. I do not know how often he can change form, but if we bind him fast and do not allow him to sleep, I imagine that he will not be able to cast spells. In other words, we kick or slap him a few minutes after he falls asleep. I do not know what type of a mage he is, but if he cannot recover spells, he cannot cast spells.
Carina's eyes grow large at the wealth before her. Far more than she ever imagined. Enough to buy land and build a decent farm with animals in most lands. When she sees the stolen jewelry, she immediately goes over to see if there is any that catches her eye.
When Bron and Ganit begin discussing the prisoners. I would prefer to take them all back alive. I do not know how often he can change form, but if we bind him fast and do not allow him to sleep, I imagine that he will not be able to cast spells. In other words, we kick or slap him a few minutes after he falls asleep. I do not know what type of a mage he is, but if he cannot recover spells, he cannot cast spells.
"Sir Raslov is right, this man will not repent and he is too dangerous to leave alive. If you spell slingers know of a way to disable him safely then we should bring him for trial, but a man who can summon creatures to his aid and slip any bonds we put him in is dangerous."
Jameson spares barely a glance at the treasure, concerned more with the disposition of the living.
"The body of the Stag Lord is wanted by that undead man by the bridge, is it not? We could give that up and so honor our pact with it. I wish the undead who guard this fort were so easily laid to rest. We will have to dedicate some time to cleaning them out."
As some of you know, I have a continuous fight within with something that attempts to incite me to kill, wantonly and without regard for the justice of the killing. I cannot condone killing this man now that we have disabled him, to do so would be to give into this power, and I do not think that you wish to awake and find an orcish witchdoctor among your number. He was not killed in combat, so now justice must be done.
Carina pauses for a moment.
If we keep him drunk and unconscious, I do not think that he will be able to call the spells from whatever source grants him his magic. I assume that he is some type of nature priest based on his summoning of those rats and his ability to change form into that of an animal.
He must be tried for whatever crimes he committed, and it is possible that he is simply insane. He did not appear to be helping the Stag Lord, it is almost more like he was a willing insane prisoner. We keep him knocked out and take him and the other prisoners back to Oleg's to be tried by the Swordlords. We can stop by the undead boatman on the way and allow him to rest in peace once he has the Stag Lord's body. Once we have reported our success, we can return down here and finish clearing this area of the undead and whatever else lies hidden.
Remember, I believe in freedom as much as the next girl, but if we start down this road of executing him simply because he might be a danger at some point in the future, what type of settlers are we going to attract? Probably not the type who will want the land to prosper, only those who will desire personal gain over the rights of others. This is not a land that I would want to govern.
""Sir Raslov is right, this man will not repent and he is too dangerous to leave alive. If you spell slingers know of a way to disable him safely then we should bring him for trial, but a man who can summon creatures to his aid and slip any bonds we put him in is dangerous."
"Unfortunately, I do not have anything to restrict magical auras from entering an area, but hopefully, if his hands are bound, he will not be able to use them to draw forth the somatic gestures needed to cast a spell."
"The body of the Stag Lord is wanted by that undead man by the bridge, is it not? We could give that up and so honor our pact with it."
"This sounds reasonably to me, especially if we gain another ally in this land. My only concern is that we have the verification needed for our charter."
"Remember, I believe in freedom as much as the next girl, but if we start down this road of executing him simply because he might be a danger at some point in the future, what type of settlers are we going to attract?"
"Carina, you speak wisely! Indeed you are living the example of how you wish this land to be governed. I think we will need to set up a structure for justice in this land. Until we set up our own base of operations, perhaps we should have some sort of hearing or trial at Olegs. We could set up a jury like what is used in Andoran, or we could simply start with a judge or magistrate who can make some just decisions on their fate. No matter what is decided, justice simply needs to be carried out swiftly for the safety and security of everyone."
"While I do not disagree I think at some point this ain't justice. It's mercy." Telias prodded the poor wretch of the man. "Ain't fit to live in any society. And if ya do let him live do ya want ta be responsible for the people he hurts? The people he kills." Anxiously Telias breaks out his pipe and begins filling it. "Yer still just a small speck of a girl letting her personal feelings get in the way of what's necessary. You offered this man mercy and he responded wit violence. You killed his son, and apparently that means he should kill you. Don't ask me. I don't know. But this mans got a feud with you either way and he don't seem like the type ta quit just because of yer misguided sense of justice." Telias lights his pipe and takes a long soothing puff.
"The old man was vile, he lived in the basement with those two dire rats for years." Akiros adds "Give him a moment and he'll kill you. I had no idea he was The Stag Lord's father until his proclimation, but it makes sense now. He always drank himself into a stuper every night, having nightmares about past beatings and so on. One old man he came across he beat the life out of him merely because he resembled this old man."
"I feel I have to remember that by the letter of law we have the right of judge and executioner in regards to the Stag Lord bandits. If nothing else this man is guilty of attacking us with the intent of murder."
Bronwyn calms himself and remembers:
"But even then, what I had suggested was to simply wake him up and offer him a chance to explain himself or plead for repentance. If he does not do so we are well within our lawful rights to execute him for his crimes."
""But even then, what I had suggested was to simply wake him up and offer him a chance to explain himself or plead for repentance. If he does not do so we are well within our lawful rights to execute him for his crimes."
"Then by all means go ahead and let's hear what he has to say. Just make sure that he is still well bound! I cannot help myself, but I still get a little queasy watching people die. So, the sooner this whole episode is resolved and we can get back to Oleg's, the sooner I will start feel better!"
I do not like this. But, Bron, I believe you are the only noble in this party. If we are to try the man and allow him to answer for his crimes, I believe that it should be you who leads. Personally, I think that we should turn him and the others over to the Swordlords until such time as we have a proper judicial system established here.
"I do not like this. But, Bron, I believe you are the only noble in this party. If we are to try the man and allow him to answer for his crimes, I believe that it should be you who leads."
"Hrrr Hmmm!" Zorestar clears his throat to get the Witch's attention. "Excuse me, Carina, I think you are mistaken on your assumption, for verily I am Zorestar Lebeda of the Lebeda House of Brevoy! However, I will not begrudge Sir Bronwyn the role of leading us! For indeed I do not want the responsibility, especially when we are out here in the middle of the wilderness fighting bandits and monsters and such."
Jameson watches Bron as his nobility is brought up and questioned.
Should I say? Better not to for now, I don't have my father's instincts.
Upon waking the man he leers at the group and looks like he's about to try to cast a spell, but with his hands bound he's unable to cast and then leers at the group.
"Why am I alive? Want to torture me?" he asks with a clear look of rage in his eyes "None of you are man enough. My Son is more man than any of you, especially after I had beaten him so much." he laughs as if it seems like some kind of joke.
"Well sugar, now's your chance to knock him over the head," Ganit tells Carina with a rueful shrug. "The rest of our captives are spineless eunuchs. The minute they catch sight of this one and hear the way he disrespects us, they'll start to believe they still have a chance to escape and continue on their path."
He gives a sideways, studious glance at the captive in question before returning his cold eyes to the softhearted sorceress. "If you want him alive than he's your responsibility. That means you'll be looking after him and treating him with your annual clubbings. Can't say I know what's worst. This man's death is inevitable but if you want to drag his miserable life out any longer than go right ahead. He's all yours."
"Why am I alive? Want to torture me?" he asks with a clear look of rage in his eyes "None of you are man enough. My Son is more man than any of you, especially after I had beaten him so much."
Bronwyn looks at the old man, thankful for the distraction.
Your son... You mean the Stag Lord? Those scars, was it you?
He waits for his answer, and continues the interrogation:
Why did you attack us, why did you want to kill us?
"Why am I alive? Want to torture me?" he asks with a clear look of rage in his eyes "None of you are man enough. My Son is more man than any of you, especially after I had beaten him so much."Bronwyn looks at the old man, thankful for the distraction.
Your son... You mean the Stag Lord? Those scars, was it you?
He waits for his answer, and continues the interrogation:
Why did you attack us, why did you want to kill us?
He seems to grin at the mention of those scars.
"You should've seen him scream, though he was a child then. Stupid kid cost me everything." he groaned and tries to pull on his bindings. "Why? You killed my son and killing him was the only way I could redeem myself after he beat me and locked me up down here as his guard."
Bronwyn winces and looks confused as he hears the old man's response. Without missing a beat he replies:
Redeem yourself? Of the beatings? The acid burns? We have seen his face! You created a monster, old man, and that monster took countless lives!
Bronwyn winces and looks confused as he hears the old man's response. Without missing a beat he replies:
Redeem yourself? Of the beatings? The acid burns? We have seen his face! You created a monster, old man, and that monster took countless lives!
"And you have not killed a man? You have all killed someone, I bet, you claim in self or in cold blood." he states flatly "I care not for your ideals. Life is unfair as are the gods." he doesn't appear to take any more interest in wanting to carry on the conversation as he looks away to the side not wanting to look at any of you.
Something in the words of the old man apparently hit a weak spot on Bronwyn.
I... care not for the fate of this monster. If it were for me I'd hack his head off for his crimes and abuses, but maybe that wouldn't have been proper justice. I'm just human after all.
He takes some steps back, distancing himself from the man.
Hearing the man laugh about torturing his son and criticize the team, Carina walks up to him and grabs his head staring at him with her two colored eyes. The red one appearing almost as fire while the blue appears cold as ice.
Almost screaming with rage: I told them to let you live. So that you could save your life and repent for your wrongs. Instead you belittle those who have freed you from this hellhole of a prison your son has kept you in. You are not worth saving. You have about ten seconds before the my companions execute justice in the name of the Swordlords. Everyone in this fort committed atrocities for which they have, or will, pay the price. As you were a prisoner, I thought that you might be worth saving. Apparently I was dead wrong. Soon, you will be right dead.
Intimidate:
"Yer, right." Telias says as he ominously puts out his pipe quiet up until this point, "Life ain't fair. And the gods ain't much better."
Then with a remarkably quick and deft maneuver for a man not prone to sudden bursts of speed he yanks the mans head up and slits his throat from ear to ear with the big hunting knife he used to clean game. "But iffin ye ask me? This is a great deal fairer than ya deserve."
Stepping away from the gurgling man no doubt trying to spit blood or curses in defiance he nonchalantly cleans his knife. "Can't abide a man who tortures his kids, or beats his wife a bit hard, or otherwise mistreats his family."
He merely looks up at Carina, not caring for the fear she tries to incite in him.
"I care not for redemption. What I have done there is no redemption for." he says off-handedly as he doesn't care at all what happens to him.
With that response, I spit at him and then turn and walk away. A man(if he is one) like that is not worth saving.
I think Telias at that point takes matters into his own hands.
_________________
After that is done:
Akiros - how far away are these mounds of undead? Could we shoot them from the walls? And how are they drawn out? Could a summoned creature cause them to rise so that we could shoot them?
"The mounds are right up against the walls. Merely stepping on the mounds attracts these things. I've watched where men who failed the stag lord have been thrown onto the mounds and watched the skeletons rise up from the dirt." he points at as they are nearby. "That's the only way to attract them is to move out onto the surface and bring them up."
I look over at Telias and Zorestar.
Do you all think that we could summon something to attract these skeletons and then shoot and blast them from atop the walls? If they are attracted by anything alive, I would think that a summoned dog or wolf would work just as well as a person. Or we could use one of the corpses of the dead bandits to see what is necessary to get their attention.
Personally, I think that fighting them from within the walls of the fort would be preferable.
A very tired knight suggests:
I honestly do not have any more fight in me for the day, Carina. Maybe we could get some deserved rest and tomorrow head to Oleg? We could return in a couple days with the company of Cambyl. He's a good priest, could bless this place to remove this miasma and dispose of the undead.