Svetlana Visibly shuddering at the thought of the mysterious bandit woman she replies to Sergei, "She was in charge, the told Oleg she would shorten his reach if he didn't do as he was told, nearly took off his finger with an axe. Then when I tried to keep my wedding ring she said that they would take me back to camp..." with that she bursts into tears and sits down heavily on a chair, sobbing gently.
While she must have been putting on a brave face the last few months and then reliving the nightmares today have taken their toll on her.
After a moment of deep thought, Phiona added,
"I agree with giving them a chance to surrender, but not until we manage to shut off the gates, to ensure no one escape. Also if Alagor are showing himself, it may unease them and cause them to think there might be more people. I'd suggest we all hide, and on the signal of the gate being shut, Alagor surprise and confront them to surrender, if they refuse... Like Egan said, I'll try to cause them to fall asleep, and hopefully they'll be more willing to surrender when they wake up and are all tied up."
Please... there is wisdom in Phil's words. We cannot stand out in the open or be obvious or they will immediately be on guard. We ALL must be out of sight.
Two people under wood or cloth or barrel near the gate, the others out of sight... give a signal and the gate is barred then we can ask for surrender. Don't frighten the prey.
I will go and hide our tracks.
He departs and goes about the business of hiding tracks.
"If you want them to surrender, a show of force is better than just one man. Cast your spell, show ourselves and then demand surrender.
Of course, then what do we do with them? They hang bandits back in Brevoy, don't they?"
"So who's closing the gate on them? I didn't hear anyone volunteer to do it magically."
Egan looks a little confused at this talk of surrender. Our charter is clear. Bandits are to get sword or rope. No other option was mentioned. The little gnome looks quite serious and strangely dark for a moment. They should be put down. These men deserve no better.
Alagor is a bit taken aback with what he thought was sudden harshness and conviction in gnome's words. "I am not, and will not become the executioner. I will offer them a chance of surrender. I doubt that they will take it, but if that happens, then I will not be part of any hangings. If we are to hang them, why bother offering surrender at all, why just not slaughter them immediately?"
Shifting his weight, and picking with his left hand nervously at his locked glove, he continues: "But as I said, I do not think we need to bother with that now. If by any chance we get any prisoners, then we will discuss more.
As for what you are suggesting, for all of us to remain hidden, if you believe that is the best way, then OK, I agree to go with that. Please have in mind that I am not very good in sneaking so tell me where I need to be and what would you want me to do, and I'll do it"
"Sergei's right, we should cast spells before we confront them. Alagor you could hide in the shed, and only about 10 seconds or so from hearing the gate being shut off would you emerge, along with others? I suppose? I'm okaying at hiding, but with concealment it'll be easier to hide, I could shut off the gate along with Andrej."
Phiona discussed with the group then added,
"I'll also be able to get to better vantage point, but first I would like to know if here's a bow that I could borrow?"
Phiona heads toward the trade shed, then the back storage room if there isn't a bow and some arrows handy on the shed already.
Andrej will spend about a number of hours clearing the tracks we made leading up to the fort for a few hundred feet or so
Svetlana, when these bandits have come before, do they all come into the trading post compound, or do some wait outside? Can you walk us through what they have done before?
looking over the contents of the storage area, Egan pauses at the barrel half full of lamp oil. No, we do not want to burn the entire fort. he mumbles to himself and goes on. After looking over everything he asks Svetlana If we need to use these two potions while fighting the bandits is that ok? And finally he asks about the leather armor. Does anyone here have the leather working or armorer skills to modify this to fit Sparkey?
Turning to Phiona, Alagor replies: "Your proposal sounds good. I will hide inside the shed, and appear when needed"
Next, he goes with Andrej in order to try and help him clean the tracks as best as possible.
Finally returning to the fort, he will bluntly notify Egan that he has no crafting skills whatsoever, but he will agree and support Andrej regarding his idea to place/push the wagon near the gate, with maybe someone even hiding near, behind or bellow the wagon.
I ail go along with whatever the warfighters decide. I can only cast two useful spells a day. Lets make them count.
Maybe I should be in in the shed with Alagor. Egan comments, but does not look happy about it. I wouldn't mind being up on the wall with the ladders drawn up but with my mounted mobility and healing I might serve the group better on the ground. Thoughts?
"Could I borrow this Longbow and a dozen arrows?"
Alreadly holding the longbow and a quiver containing 12 arrows Phiona asked Svetlana almost as if she'll lend them to her.
Svetlana "Feel free to use the longbow, and if you need the potions take them. Stopping those bandits will earn us far more in the trade goods we will keep than those two potions are worth."
Thank you Svetlana. The gnome considers a bit, holding both potions, and then says Alagor, you hold this potion of Shield of Faith. It might be more useful at the bandit camp later than in this first fight. You will have to make that call, likely after you see if the sleep spells work well. Andrej, you take the potion of Cure Light Wounds. I think I'll be starting closer to Alagor and can heal him if he is wounded.
Egan looks over the group and adds If someone has a better idea for the potions please speak up. This seems a good way to go for now though.
Domitian, rather than call out a verbal warning when the bandits are spotted, what if we rig up a rope that can be pulled to let us know?
On his return Andrej settles in to discuss with the others about blocking one of the gates with a wagon and pushing it into place when the bandits enter.
You could just watch me and I can silently signal by hand. Dom suggests.
If we can leave the door to the shed open enough that will work. Alagor?
Andre nods in agreement to Egans suggestion.
Why make it a signal that will put them on guard? Perhaps something else they expect to see? Maybe smoke coming out of a chimney? Or a dog being released into the yard? The sound of furniture moving?
"Oleg fixing the stable?"
Phiona said jokingly, then added.
"I believe my sleep spell would come in handy, but I need a good vantage point to see the courtyard, the wall over here seems to be a pretty decent spot for me to hide and still view the yard."
Phiona points to the right hand side of the wall as she speaks.
"Let's not over complicate things. If they come openly, as we expect, we should have plenty of warning. You don't have to spend all day hiding in the shed. We'll take cover when Domitian spots them. Maybe I'll join him on the walls and jump down when they're in sight."
After spending the afternoon planning Svetlana serves a fine meal to thank you for your efforts, even Oleg comes in from his work in the cold and graces you with a hopeful smile. The next day you spend preparing your plan and checking out locations around the trading post to hide away before getting an early night so you can set off your ambush on the bandits in the morning.
Oleg's Trading Post Pre Fight Map
Dom mans his position and stays put all morning keeping an eye out for the raiders. Ronyo by his side having been helped onto the battlements.
Andrej uses some sacking, wood and other debris to try to make something innocuous to hide behind or under so as to be concealed.
Egan will inform the group that his likely first action will be to bless the party.
From over a mile away Domitian's keen eyes spot the six figures on horse back riding through the retreating snow and thick black mud towards the trading post. As the hour it takes them to slowly make their way to the gate passes nerves start to fray as everyone holds their breath and tries not to move.
Bandit Leader "Least 't gates open this time, must have learn'd yor lesson" He shouts as he dismounts outside the gate and draws a bow from his horse, the other bandits snigger as they also dismount and draw weapons.
Walking into the trading post itself some make for the storage shed while the rest spread out, after a second or so they look at each other...
"Where are..?"
"Tis quiet..."
"What the..?
Sergei pushes the gate to and puts his back to it, drawing his rapier and smiling at the bandits.
Phiona moves out to see the group, grabs some rose petals from her spell pouch, mumbled a few word to herself, and cast sleep.
Andrej moves from his hiding place and does likewise, shutting the gate.
Brandishing his great sword in his right hand, holding copy of the charter in his left hand held up high, Alagor slowly steps forward. Looking the leader straight in the eyes, he exclaims:
"By the power invested in me by Sworlords of Restov, I order you to immediately drop all your weapons and surrender! You will have one, and only one chance to avoid death by sword or rope, and that is to surrender immediately, or by Gorum we will kill each and every one of you! You WILL surrender now!!!
The bandits stand agape at their sudden change of fortunes, as the warrior with the greatsword bursts from the stables several of them start and begin to lower their weapons. Looking towards their leader they seem unsure of themselves...
Bandit Leader "Cowards! Get them! We'll take their coin as well..."
Dom checks to make sure their are no more bandits outside the wall, then gestures a the closest member of the group , cursing him with misfortune.
Egan, in full armor and shield, mounted on the large war dog, steps from the shed to stand beside Alagor. Brigh, great god of fire guide our weapons in just vengeance against these thieves and murderers. he intones.
A holy light briefly shines from each of our party as the blessings of Brigh settle upon us for this fight.
Bandit Leader As Domitians hex reaches out to weaken him the bandit leader gathers his resolve and throws off the effect.
Rather than attacking, Andrej uses his time to get the bar in place and ensure the gates are shut.
As the bandits steel their resolve after the surprise of the ambush the bandit leader draws an arrow from his quiver, with confidence he announces, "The elf on the wall..."