Angeus |
Angeus interrogates all of the bandits for information primarily on the bandit fort, the leader (stag lord) and (if any) lieutenants he has as well as the the surrounding terrain : any threats they may know about; especially the kobolds.
diplomacy 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (15) + 2 = 17
Angeus |
Angeus has the bandits mark their map with the locations of the bandit fort and the locations of the kobolds and mites; plus any other hazards they have encountered on their patrols.
She then says "Alright then, that information will come in handy! Now, show us your stores, especially Miss Hatchet's quarters."
Angeus |
"Agreed. Boys, your first task on behalf of the Sword Lords of Brevoy is to gather up enough fallen wood to cremate your fallen comrades." Angeus says to the captured bandits.
DaWay |
The bandits keep to their word and mark the location of the fort, though it seems you might have just reached the halfway point here. They inform you the do not know any locations of the creatures though they mark places that they have spotted the little devils before except for one who pipes up that the mites stole two bags of their loot and ran into a sizable lair under an old sycamore tree.
The bandit's spoils, kept hidden under less interesting supplies like food, firewood, and tents under a hunting blind include 321 sp, 90 gp, a pair of silver earrings, a wooden music box, three crates of furs and hides, and a polished wooden case of potent greenish herbal liquor with eight bottle left.
Xerell Maj'ir |
Xerell thinks about what the sorcerer question then goes back to what the bandits were talking about. He looks to them, "Has the Stag lord assualted the mites at all or just take them out if they get in the way?" As he waits for an answers he suggests to the group, "Maybe we can start something between the two and use the creatures as a distraction."
Morgrym Dolgringrun |
"That's devious, Xerell."
"Do we want to take your new vassals with us? Or send them back to base with these spoils? If we're going after the fort we might be putting a bit too much temptation on them."
Pointing to one of the new vassals
"You! You call that tinder? Can't you see it's still green?"
Knowledge:Nature: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (16) + 4 = 20what does Grym know of the Mites?
Xerell Maj'ir |
Xerell chuckles to himself, "My dear dwarf, I wasn't thinking of diplomatic approach it was more along the lines of attacking them and making like the Stag Lord has done it. But of course all creatures can be reasoned with, but maybe a bit of both plans could do the trick...hmmm."
Angeus |
"That may be a sound strategy Xerell, if we can achieve our goals through subterfuge..." Angeus says, then looking about the bandit camp "In the meantime, I think we should establish this camp as a base of operations, maintain the patrols...just absolutely no banditry, just observations and reporting back to us"
Raven M |
"Mites particularly hate dwarves... I doubt we'll be able to get them to take any action on our behalf if they know we have a dwarf in our midst." Raven shrugs. "I think taking on the bandits a few at a time as they make rounds is the best we can do at this point. There aren't really enough of us to take on their whole outpost at this time."
Morgrym Dolgringrun |
"Does that mean if they thought the bandits were led by a Dwarf they would strike first?"
Morgrym shrugs
"I'd like to camp for the day, then I'm happy to start taking on patrols."
"Torag teaches that in a time like this we should gather together the isolated members of the community into a militia. That is advice for Dwarves, though."
Angeus |
"Well, I've run into Mites a few times when I was running wild in the hills, nasty little bastards, can't really negotiate with them in my experience, at least kobolds can be talked to." Angeus says biting into an apple from the stores. She then looks thoughtful.
Calling over one of the bandits, she asks "How often were you sending word to the main fort? Or how often were you visited by someone from there? " Seeing the man's blank stare, "What I'm getting at... how long before they get suspicious that something has happened here?"
Adular |
"Torag teaches that in a time like this we should gather together the isolated members of the community into a militia. That is advice for Dwarves, though."
"Does this mean if we follow this advice, we all get to be honorary dwarves?" Adular looks intrigued. "I always wondered what I'd look like with a beard."
Raven M |
"On the other hand, some of us don't have the capability of growing one, Raven quips back to Adular with a wink. "Still, forming a militia of the bandits, giving them a purpose, and maybe even a little training, isn't necessarily a bad idea. But I don't think we have a lot of time for such an endeavor. The bandit fort will know soon enough that their outpost isn't checking in, I think."
Morgrym Dolgringrun |
Morgrym considers Adular seriously
"While Torag is a dwarven god, he is not the god of dwarves. He has human worshippers and priests. I think you would look more manly with a beard, for the record."
"Raven - I did not mean just the Bandits. There must be other peoples in these lands, even if they are rare. Still, your idea has merit. If we can ambush squad after squad, subdue them and then recruit them we could amass a militia - if we can trust their oaths."
"I have been thinking on this matter - does our chartered group bear a name, or a symbol?"
Raven M |
"Ah we have a name then? I hadn't realized, but that will do as well as any, I guess. And the name itself suggests a symbol in it's verbal imagery." Raven flashes Adular a smile.
Adular |
Another smile given in return to Raven, "Since no one else is objecting... at least not fast enough, I suppose that IS the name, isn't it?"
The bandit replies, A squad no but usually she took Happs with her, but she did bring the surplus with her, and we are told that she was with the Stag Lord for an hour or so alone each visit.
"Does she or any others bear any symbols or use any pass phrases, hand gestures... that sort of thing... to get that close?"
Morgrym Dolgringrun |
"If she was due back in two days, and the fort is about two days ride away, then she would need to leave now to get back. Had she sent any messengers? What does your leader do when a patrol like this fails to report in? Is he likely to send riders out? In that case very soon the fort will be as undefended as it is likely to be."
"Either way, we can stay here one night, perhaps, but need to press on. "
Raven M |
"Maybe we should wait in ambush somewhere between here and the fort, maybe at the halfway point. If the riders sent to investigate are a small patrol, we can perhaps ambush them. If a large party is sent, we can let them pass by and instead go to the fort to see what, if anything, we can do there."
Raven shrugs. "Tactics are not my strong point but it seems unlikely we can actually plan a definitive action without knowing exactly how they will react to Lady Hatchet's failure to report."
Morgrym Dolgringrun |
"Yes, Raven. Tactics are my strong point, and I know administration. We need someone empowered to make decisions. I would suggest myself as leader but I do have trouble talking with people sometimes."
Angeus |
"My first instinct would be to have someone impersonate the lady, but without the passcode that's a recipe for a quick death. " looking at Raven Angeus says "I agree with you, Raven, an ambush here, and ambush there may be the only way ahead for us.". Then looking to Morgrym, "We all bring something different to the table, talk of a single decision leader may be a bit premature, Morgrymn....no offence " Angeus says with a smile.
Xerell Maj'ir |
"Agreed on the impersonation Ms. Angeus, it was a longshot idea anyway. I will say ambush is probably the most practical idea since our others are running a lot on hopeful wishes, hehe." He looks towards the dwarf, [b]"I'm quite knowledgeable on diplomacy, so you every wish me to talk for you or need any advise on those subject feel free to ask me." He gives him a nod and waits to see where they wish to set up the ambush.
Morgrym Dolgringrun |
"To my left is the Fire. Fire brings pain. Fire brings destruction. But the right amount of fire can make that which is rigid yield that it may be shaped anew."
"To my right are the Tools. Torag gave all of us hands, to make crude tools. With those tools we can make better tools. And with those we can make tools better again. Out tools are our sign that there is always a better way, always a way to improve."
"In front of me is the Anvil. The Anvil stands unyielding, and the metal that has been heated by the fire can be worked by the tools. The Anvil appears to do nothing, yet if the Anvil yields the work is ruined."
"In the middle of all these I stand, the crafter. So long as my focus is true, and my skill is practised, and my goal is clear I can use the Fire, the Tools and the Anvil to create and repair. This is the gift of creation, granted to all of us."
"Not all things can be created of iron, or steel, or gold, or stone, or wood. Some of the greatest of creations are made of flesh, and souls, and mind, and community. We gather here, now, to create such a thing."
The Dwarf is silent for a while as he takes a small quantity of metal from the fire and works it upon the anvil with the tools.
"We here, now, forge this new thing. This Starlight Brigade. I seek to create a force for Law."
Morgrym looks expectantly at the other members of the group
[spoiler=@Angeus]
guessing you'd know the form is "let it be X" where X is what you want it to be.
Raven M |
Raven wrinkles her nose in mild distaste at the mention of this being all for law, but says nothing. The dwarf has his own traditions and he can honor them if he wishes. Nothing he did bound any of the rest of the group to any cause of law.
Angeus |
Angeus respectfully allows Morgrym to conduct his ceremony, knowing that it means much to him.
Once he is done , she says "Let it be that those who live within the land that we tame can live free and be free from those who would take such from them."