"As to where we're taking the bodies, plus a little bit of their equipment? Some where further back towards the south, with Harthor using his skills for the best place to lay them about." Tyr says conversationally to Karthas while looking at the chain mail they've pulled off the hapless Happ. "Hmmm, I could use this..." He muses quietly to himself.
The bandit is unconscious but stable . He's in no danger of dying, thanks to the ministrations of Rani, but he did have several unwanted holes poked into his skin.
Though not trained for battle, the horses seem rather laconic about the whole situation. After speaking with them for a few moments, Berenkor ascertains that they know these bandits came from a "camp on the river." Other than that, the horses are quiet save one making mention that he's hungry.
Coinage:
From this battle everybody gets: 5 GP, 1SP, and 2CP.
Everybody got 3GP from the first ambush if you forgot to record that.
"Berenkor, do the animals have any idea of how long of a trip it is to the bandit camp?"
"Tyr, as far as their equipment, why should we leave any of it with them? Wouldn't it look more like other bandits if their belongings were gone?"
"Tyr, as far as their equipment, why should we leave any of it with them? Wouldn't it look more like other bandits if their belongings were gone?"
To Karthas' question Tyr just shrugs, both the mail he wears and the amount he holds jingling softly at the motion.
"Oh, I was just thinking out loud, sorry, distracted by an idea. I meant to say, really, it's Harthor's scene to set up. He may want to maybe make it look like an animal attack?" Tyr shrugs again. "Um, that sort of thing's not really my forte, sorry." He drapes the chain mail over an arm and helps with the clean up etc.
"Berenkor, do the animals have any idea of how long of a trip it is to the bandit camp?"
Berenkor will ask the horses this.
We do not need to be subtle; we want the bandits to know the time of their reckoning has come. In all honesty, I would like to hang the bandits on the walls of the Trading Post, firstly because from Oleg's account and their own actions they deserve no less, but secondly because it means other bandits will think twice before attacking the trading post. I would be interested in hearing Olegs opinion on this.
Regardless, strip all of their equipment; i'm sure Oleg and his wife can store it for us if they do not want to purchase it from us. The various wounds we dealt the bandits will make disguising our attack as an animal attack difficult; but as I said before, I don't think this is the time for subtlety.
Berenkor also shows interest in the chain shirt; he can't wear medium armour so the chain shirt is ideal for him- but it would need to be resized for him.
Regardless, Berenkor will move to the house and shout Oleg! The battle is won; it's safe to come out now!
We do not need to be subtle; we want the bandits to know the time of their reckoning has come. In all honesty, I would like to hang the bandits on the walls of the Trading Post, firstly because from Oleg's account and their own actions they deserve no less, but secondly because it means other bandits will think twice before attacking the trading post. I would be interested in hearing Olegs opinion on this.
Regardless, strip all of their equipment; i'm sure Oleg and his wife can store it for us if they do not want to purchase it from us. The various wounds we dealt the bandits will make disguising our attack as an animal attack difficult; but as I said before, I don't think this is the time for subtlety.
Regardless, Berenkor will move to the house and shout Oleg! The battle is won; it's safe to come out now!
A somewhat disapproving look crosses the barbarian's face, "It doesn't bother me a great deal, but do you really think rotting corpses on walls will do much for Oleg's business? What if these bandits also work for the Stag Lord? Do we want to paint a target on the outpost for his forces should he marshal them in greater numbers than we can handle?"
We do not need to be subtle; we want the bandits to know the time of their reckoning has come. In all honesty, I would like to hang the bandits on the walls of the Trading Post, firstly because from Oleg's account and their own actions they deserve no less, but secondly because it means other bandits will think twice before attacking the trading post. I would be interested in hearing Olegs opinion on this.
Regardless, strip all of their equipment; i'm sure Oleg and his wife can store it for us if they do not want to purchase it from us. The various wounds we dealt the bandits will make disguising our attack as an animal attack difficult; but as I said before, I don't think this is the time for subtlety.
Regardless, Berenkor will move to the house and shout Oleg! The battle is won; it's safe to come out now!
A somewhat disapproving look crosses the barbarian's face, "It doesn't bother me a great deal, but do you really think rotting corpses on walls will do much for Oleg's business? What if these bandits also work for the Stag Lord? Do we want to paint a target on the outpost for his forces should he marshal them in greater numbers than we can handle?"
You would rather a different group of bandits attacks while we are exploring the Greenbelt, with nothing to deter them? Besides, I wouldn't dream of doing this without Oleg's approval; the discussion is moot until we have it.
At Berenkor's comments Tyr stops and actually seems to notice and remember the chain-mail on his arm. He looks from it to Berenkor and nods,
"A good idea, though I fear finding some one with the skills to strip the links necessary off this to re-size it are few and far between." Tyr frowns at such a prospect. Then puts the extra suit down carefully upon a wooden bench, though as he does so a different, serious look comes to his features and he looks to Berenkor again.
"My freind, which bit of 'The woods are crawling with bandits' idea of the past days conversations did you miss? This Stag Lord has all the ne'ar do wells for miles around working for him. Once any word of resistance reaches his ears then we will face a focused effort to remove said resistance and anything associated with it." Tyr stretches his arms out and sweeps them around to point to the buildings surrounding them.
"Oleg has survived so far because the bandits see no threat in him or this fortified establishment. If another group of bandits do turn up while we are gone, then Oleg has deniably to fall back on if there's still a pile of loot to be taken and no dead bandit corpses hanging from the walls. We can always retrieve anything stolen from the outpost later, if such a thing comes to pass." Tyr sighs,
"I'm sorry my freind, but the plan we had before we went into battle was to move he bodies, other wise it might have been simpler to ambush these thugs farther out into the woods." Tyr looks at Berenkor,
"I'm deeply sorry for any loss in your life due to scum such as these." Tyr finishes softly.
"Tyr, as far as their equipment, why should we leave any of it with them? Wouldn't it look more like other bandits if their belongings were gone?"To Karthas' question Tyr just shrugs, both the mail he wears and the amount he holds jingling softly at the motion.
"Oh, I was just thinking out loud, sorry, distracted by an idea. I meant to say, really, it's Harthor's scene to set up. He may want to maybe make it look like an animal attack?" Tyr shrugs again. "Um, that sort of thing's not really my forte, sorry." He drapes the chain mail over an arm and helps with the clean up etc.
The door to the main building opens, and Oleg's head peers from around the corner, squinting in the morning sun.
"Is it true? Have they been driven off this morn'?" he asks, fighting against the hope you hear rising in his voice, lest he be disappointed anew.
At Berenkor's comments Tyr stops and actually seems to notice and remember the chain-mail on his arm. He looks from it to Berenkor and nods,
"A good idea, though I fear finding some one with the skills to strip the links necessary off this to re-size it are few and far between." Tyr frowns at such a prospect. Then puts the extra suit down carefully upon a wooden bench, though as he does so a different, serious look comes to his features and he looks to Berenkor again.
"My freind, which bit of 'The woods are crawling with bandits' idea of the past days conversations did you miss? This Stag Lord has all the ne'ar do wells for miles around working for him. Once any word of resistance reaches his ears then we will face a focused effort to remove said resistance and anything associated with it." Tyr stretches his arms out and sweeps them around to point to the buildings surrounding them.
"Oleg has survived so far because the bandits see no threat in him or this fortified establishment. If another group of bandits do turn up while we are gone, then Oleg has deniably to fall back on if there's still a pile of loot to be taken and no dead bandit corpses hanging from the walls. We can always retrieve anything stolen from the outpost later, if such a thing comes to pass." Tyr sighs,
"I'm sorry my freind, but the plan we had before we went into battle was to move he bodies, other wise it might have been simpler to ambush these thugs farther out into the woods." Tyr looks at Berenkor,
"I'm deeply sorry for any loss in your life due to scum such as these." Tyr finishes softly.
I think perhaps you overestimate the Bandit's, allowing hearsay to cloud your judgement. We have nothing to go on other than Oleg's limited experiences that they are truly that organised a force; this 'Stag Lord' is likely only leader because all the bandits fear him; you are assuming our foe is a disciplined and organised force, whereas the reality may be that they are a motley rabble; a rabble to which I personally feel we should send a message to and begin to establish a reputation for ourselves.
Again; this conversation is somewhat moot until Oleg leaves the house; if we as a group wish to move the bodies and disguise our actions somewhat then so be it- but i'd like Oleg's opinion either way.
Quietly to Tyr The first bandits I ever encountered were on the road here, friend.
"Tyr, as far as their equipment, why should we leave any of it with them? Wouldn't it look more like other bandits if their belongings were gone?"To Karthas' question Tyr just shrugs, both the mail he wears and the amount he holds jingling softly at the motion.
"Oh, I was just thinking out loud, sorry, distracted by an idea. I meant to say, really, it's Harthor's scene to set up. He may want to maybe make it look like an animal attack?" Tyr shrugs again. "Um, that sort of thing's not really my forte, sorry." He drapes the chain mail over an arm and helps with the clean up etc.
The door to the main building opens, and Oleg's head peers from around the corner, squinting in the morning sun.
"Is it true? Have they been driven off this morn'?" he asks, fighting against the hope you hear rising in his voice, lest he be disappointed anew.
Happy that he has said his piece to Tyr, Berenkor turns to Oleg with a grin and says
Aye, and not one escaped to tell the tale. Many of us are of the opinion that we should hide the bodies somewhere to ensure you can claim no knowledge of this retaliation; do you agree Oleg? Or do you feel that to make an example of these bandits will better serve you as a deterrent to other bandit groups?
Tyr waits patiently for the discussion to resolve, having said his piece and making it plain he side with Karthas.
"Aye, well I'm of two minds on that one," Oleg muses, scratching his stubbly jaw. "I know Svetlana wouldn't approve of heads adorning the gate, much as I'd enjoy watching them swing."
He shrugs, continuing, "I did ask for aid from Restov, and though my post here is small it does serve a purpose. I'm still holding out hope that the Swordlords haven't given up on their holding here and that help may yet arrive. You folks are the experts, and while I think the tongue lashing I'd get from 'Lana might hurt as bad as the bandits' blades, I'm not against a deterrent of some sort if you think it'd make a difference."
Svetlana comes up to Oleg, holding a wrapped bundle. "Darling, don't forget to give them these as a token of our gratitude."
Oleg takes the bundle and hands it to the party. "I almost forgot. These are a few potions we've bartered from the old hermit Bokken who lives a ways to the southeast in the Kamelands. We won't sell them, and these plus a little extra coin ought to show we mean it."
"Tell them the other good news, Oleg!" Svetlana interrupts with a smile towards the Chartered Six . Oleg puts his arm around his wife.
"We'd be honored if you'd take us up on the offer to settle in here, in the guest house...between your travels I mean. We can provide you with meals when you're here, and the extra bit of security isn't a bad thing for us, so in our eyes you'd be earning room and board anyway."
"What do you say?"
"Tell them the other good news, Oleg!" Svetlana interrupts with a smile towards the Chartered Six . Oleg puts his arm around his wife.
"We'd be honored if you'd take us up on the offer to settle in here, in the guest house...between your travels I mean. We can provide you with meals when you're here, and the extra bit of security isn't a bad thing for us, so in our eyes you'd be earning room and board anyway."
"What do you say?"
A broad smile crosses Karthas' face, "I can't speak for my friends, but I would be quite happy to help out, and have a decent place to rest my head on occassion" Obviously pleased with the offer, Karthas turns to his companions, "What say you?"
I believe I can speak for all of us when I say that we would be honoured to use Oleg's Trading Post as the home away from home for the Chartered Six. It sounds like we're at an impasse concerning the bandit's bodies; but currently the groups votes are set for hiding the bodies somewhere- and as an Andoran I respect a democratic vote more than anyone.
Thankyou kindly for the generous gifts, Oleg and Svetlana- lets hop that this day marks the start of a great trading relationship and friendship between our group and your kind selves. Oleg, do you happen to have any smithing skill? Would you be able to resize a chain shirt to fit me?
I believe I can speak for all of us when I say that we would be honoured to use Oleg's Trading Post as the home away from home for the Chartered Six. It sounds like we're at an impasse concerning the bandit's bodies; but currently the groups votes are set for hiding the bodies somewhere- and as an Andoran I respect a democratic vote more than anyone.
Thankyou kindly for the generous gifts, Oleg and Svetlana- lets hop that this day marks the start of a great trading relationship and friendship between our group and your kind selves. Oleg, do you happen to have any smithing skill? Would you be able to resize a chain shirt to fit me?
"No, thank you, friends. It's the least we could do. As far as the chain shirt, I have a bit of skill, but not the greatest equipment. Give me a few days and between 'Lana and I we can get it done for you. I'll also buy the weapons, as they're yours by right, and any goods you have from you."
Karthas walks over and quietly whispers to Tyr
Following the battle, Harther removes the arrow from his shoulder and climbs down the ladder to the main yard. He sighs gratefully as Rani's channeled energy closes his wounds. "My thanks to you and Ol' Deadeye," he says to Rani with a bow of his head.
Harther moves over to the pack horses, checking them for wounds as his companions see to the bodies of the bandits. During his inspection, he checks their hooves carefully, looking for any distinctive patterns or damage that might make following their tracks easier. He also listens carefully to the various conversations as he tends to the horses.
"I agree with Berenkor, in that the ultimate decision regarding the disposal of these bodies is up to Oleg," Harther states quietly. "However, I'm of a mind to agree with Tyr and Karthas and move these bodies a good distance away from the trading post, in an effort to shield Oleg and Svetlana from any reprisals. We could make it look like Happs and his men were taken down by animals. Or even better, by a rival group of bandits - the wounds would be more appropriate, and it would explain why the bodies were stripped of gear and the horses taken. Of course, that's assuming that the bandits in these parts are not all working together under this 'Stag Lord.' Mik, do you have any insight into this?"
"We'd be honored if you'd take us up on the offer to settle in here, in the guest house...between your travels I mean. We can provide you with meals when you're here, and the extra bit of security isn't a bad thing for us, so in our eyes you'd be earning room and board anyway."
"We would be honored to accept your hospitality, Master Oleg, Mistress Svetlana," Harther says gratefully.
Mik, do you have any insight into this?"
Mik looks startled at the sudden attention.
"Well, ye don't get ta go a-thievin' in the Greenbelt without the go ahead from the Stag Lord. Otherwise they'll find ye and put ye to the sword, right quick."
He says much quiter.
"What ye gonna do wit' us?"
Mik, do you have any insight into this?"
Mik looks startled at the sudden attention.
"Well, ye don't get ta go a-thievin' in the Greenbelt without the go ahead from the Stag Lord. Otherwise they'll find ye and put ye to the sword, right quick."
He says much quiter.
"What ye gonna do wit' us?"
Well, perhaps I am mistaken in my judgement- but with a 3-1 argument and Mik's testament, it seems hiding the bodies may be the best course of action.
As to what to do with you... you fought bravely in the battle; and this has done much to redeem you in my eyes. Mayhap Oleg could find honest work for you here on the trading post. What say the other members of the Six?
Also, to Oleg at some point Good sir, I imagine much of your stock was taken by Bandits; but do you have anything left for sale?
Harther considers Mik's question carefully before responding.
"Mik, you and Gilbert acquitted yourselves admirably and bravely during the battle. You were instrumental in helping defeat these bandits, when you could have very easily shot several of us in the back. For me, at least, I believe that you have demonstrated that your repentance of your past is genuine."
"I cannot speak for the others, but I am willing to release you to return to your homes, as long as you solemnly swear before this priestess of Erastil that you will never fall into banditry again," Harther says as he motions toward Rani.
"However, as a member of House Medvyed, I would be willing to take you both on as retainers, if you would like the position," Harther offers. "I don't have much to pay you with now," the ranger adds with a rueful smile, "but if we continue to be successful against the Stag Lord's men, then I foresee our fortunes improving significantly."
Rani tries to look stern.
Harther considers Mik's question carefully before responding.
"Mik, you and Gilbert acquitted yourselves admirably and bravely during the battle. You were instrumental in helping defeat these bandits, when you could have very easily shot several of us in the back. For me, at least, I believe that you have demonstrated that your repentance of your past is genuine."
"I cannot speak for the others, but I am willing to release you to return to your homes, as long as you solemnly swear before this priestess of Erastil that you will never fall into banditry again," Harther says as he motions toward Rani.
"However, as a member of House Medvyed, I would be willing to take you both on as retainers, if you would like the position," Harther offers. "I don't have much to pay you with now," the ranger adds with a rueful smile, "but if we continue to be successful against the Stag Lord's men, then I foresee our fortunes improving significantly."
Berenkor nods in approval as Harther is stating that he believes their repentance is genuine, and smiles when Harther offers the two men a job.
Eseldra climbs down the ladder and makes her way over to the others. She adds her voice of approval to setting up base at Oleg's and her nay vote to adorning the walls of their new lodgings with bandit corpses.
As to what to do with you... you fought bravely in the battle; and this has done much to redeem you in my eyes. Mayhap Oleg could find honest work for you here on the trading post. What say the other members of the Six?
Also, to Oleg at some point Good sir, I imagine much of your stock was taken by Bandits; but do you have anything left for sale?
"As far as I'm concerned Gilbert and Mik kept their end of the bargain, and should be given a second chance at life...it would be foolish of me to say otherwise at this point." Karthas says with an approving nod toward Gilbert and Mik.
Karthas then turns his attention to Oleg waiting to hear if Oleg has any saleable wares left in his stock.
As to what to do with you... you fought bravely in the battle; and this has done much to redeem you in my eyes. Mayhap Oleg could find honest work for you here on the trading post. What say the other members of the Six?
Also, to Oleg at some point Good sir, I imagine much of your stock was taken by Bandits; but do you have anything left for sale?
The bandit is unconscious but stable . He's in no danger of dying, thanks to the ministrations of Rani, but he did have several unwanted holes poked into his skin.
"Mik, Gilbert, what about this one? Do you know him? Will he renounce his allegience to the Stag Lord as you have?"
AS the groups decision not to mount decaying war trophies over the gates becomes the dominant view, Tyr does give a sigh of relief and also relax. When Oleg and Svetlana present their gifts and proposition Tyr smiles.
"Thank you for the offer, and until we have homes of our own, I think every one is more than pleased with your gift." Tyr looks to his companions and nods.
"As for the potions? Why don't they stay some where protected amongst the group? I think after our next battle peoples general disposition will show their best effect as to who needs the potions." He winks at both Berenkor and Karthas. To the two new people who fought beside Tyr walks over and shakes both their hands in a firm grip.
"You have fought beside me in combat. I shall consider you both friends." Tyr speaks solemnly to Gilbert and Mik, though there is a slight smile to his features.
Oh, and I was hoping that Eseldra could take the buckler, just in case some baddies get up close, the AC boost is nice. It might have already made its way onto my equipment list...{innocent whistling}
Oh, and I was hoping that Eseldra could take the buckler, just in case some baddies get up close, the AC boost is nice. It might have already made its way onto my equipment list...{innocent whistling}
"However, as a member of House Medvyed, I would be willing to take you both on as retainers, if you would like the position," Harther offers.
"Oh, sir, I don' know about all that...I mean I appreciate it, but...I..." Gilbert seems to be at a loss for words. Before Mik chimes in, Oleg cuts them off.
"I think maybe some indentured servitude, if it please you six? How about I keep these fellas on doing odd jobs for a couple months to wipe their debt free? I might even toss in some coin, they work hard enough."
"Aye, yes!" Gil says. "That way I can make money for me ma, and, you know, make somethin' of meself!" Mik nods, and says, "Good plan. Ye've been fair with us so far. Let us work this off."
Karthas then turns his attention to Oleg waiting to hear if Oleg has any saleable wares left in his stock.
Oleg indicates the pile in the middle of the yard as he starts to sort it to be brought back into storage.
Harther looks to the rising sun as the group helps Oleg and Svetlana put the trading post back in order following the battle. Once the bodies are stripped of anything of value and placed near the gate, Harther steps outside the post to examine the bandits' tracks and follows them for several yards before returning.
"I don't know if the rest of you are up for this," he begins. "But I think it would be best if we took care of these bodies this morning, and then headed on out to follow their trail back to their stronghold. If we wait too long, we'll lose their tracks."
"We can even kill two birds with one stone," he continues. "We could backtrack along their trail for several miles, and place the bodies there. If we cover any tracks leading from the post to that location, we could make it look like they never made it to Oleg's at all."
"Mik, Gilbert, or Master Oleg; the pack horses indicated that the bandits came from a "camp on the river." Do you happen to know where the nearest river is?"
"Harther, I'll go with you." While changing out of his studded leather armor and putting the chain shirt on, Kathas offers "Oleg, would you like to add this studded leather armor to your goods?"
"I will go with you as well...but I think we should just scout the location, then decide how to handle things. Dropping the bodies along the way is a good idea. It may even sow some dissention among the bandit ranks: if indeed this Stag Lord really is the master of all bandits hereabouts then he will wonder who bested his men."
"Mik, Gilbert, what about this one? Do you know him? Will he renounce his allegience to the Stag Lord as you have?"
"Oi've never seen him afore, ma'am. Couldn't tell ye," Gilbert says. Mik shrugs helplessly in affirmation.
Okay, so the battle took place about an hour after sunrise, so it's still early morning, right?
"Mik, Gilbert, or Master Oleg; the pack horses indicated that the bandits came from a "camp on the river." Do you happen to know where the nearest river is?"
Oleg rubs his chin in thought. "Probably the Thorn River. You can find its banks about 20 miles or so south of here. It runs south and east until it empties in Tuskwater Lake way to the southeast. Lotta uncharted territory there, though. Could be anywhere along there."
"I'd like to stop this man's pain," Rani motions to the wounded bandit. "But, first, someone should bind him securely. Once he's feeling a little better we can see if he'll be cooperative enough to share some information and perhaps buy himself a better fate than the Swordlords would decree."
Oh, and I was hoping that Eseldra could take the buckler, just in case some baddies get up close, the AC boost is nice. It might have already made its way onto my equipment list...{innocent whistling}
"And perhaps we should make things easier for ourselves when we're out in the wilds by not taking any more prisoners. We can't hope to track down large amounts of bandits carrying around an ever increasing pile of coma cases."
Survival (Aid Harther or Rani DM's choice):
"As for what to do with our captive bandit, if he's able to move, we take him with us. Surely he knows the lay of the land between here and the bandit camp."
Oh, and I was hoping that Eseldra could take the buckler, just in case some baddies get up close, the AC boost is nice. It might have already made its way onto my equipment list...{innocent whistling}
Rani doesn't want to see the man suffer any further so she ties him securely and tries to bring him back to consciousness.
When he stirs the first thing he sees is her face, inches from his. "Welcome back to the land of the living. You are conscious because Erastil has seen fit to grant you his mercy. If you cooperate with us you may yet avoid joining Pharasma today. What is your name? To whom do you owe allegience? Where is your camp?"
Esledra frowns at the notion of not pressing on today. "As must as I would prefer as well to rest up and prepare, I feel it likely that when these bandits don't return today with the goods, more bandits will be dispatched to find out what happened to them, so we at least need to move the bodies now and stage the scene of attack. I fear that even if the bandits are fooled, they will simply continue on to here to claim their goods, and probably in greater numbers than these."
"Perhaps we could set ourselves up an ambush at the spot where we stage the attack?"
Rani doesn't want to see the man suffer any further so she ties him securely and tries to bring him back to consciousness.
When he stirs the first thing he sees is her face, inches from his. "Welcome back to the land of the living. You are conscious because Erastil has seen fit to grant you his mercy. If you cooperate with us you may yet avoid joining Pharasma today. What is your name? To whom do you owe allegience? Where is your camp?"
It takes the brigand a few moments to fully recover his senses. At the threat, he sneers at Rani.
"You think there's anything you can do to me that the Stag Lord wouldn't do ten times over? I'd welcome a face to face with Pharasma rather than reporting our failure. My name is Horace, and aye, I'm loyal to the Stag Lord. As for the rest, sod off and do me in as I ain't telling you a thing."
"You think there's anything you can do to me that the Stag Lord wouldn't do ten times over? I'd welcome a face to face with Pharasma rather than reporting our failure. My name is Horace, and aye, I'm loyal to the Stag Lord. As for the rest, sod off and do me in as I ain't telling you a thing."
"This one prefers the rope. Still, maybe we should give him a day or two in chains to contemplate his fate."