Living in the Lands of the Linnorm (Inactive)

Game Master Aiunder

Jediah nods. I will let you know

Rutilux, Jediah and Skallagbiorn return to their mounts and begin carefully traversing the broken ground towards the open plains with each rider keeping an eye out for each other the passage goes smoothly until Rutilux misguides Sunfire to veer right too far and his hoof slips on some loose gravel twisting Sunfire's leg painfully. The injury isn't lasting but it slows him down. If it wasn't for the enchanted shoes he could never keep up on the charge but even injured his shoes allow him to keep pace. (Sunfire's speed is reduced by 1/4 for the next 24 hours) Waiting just beyond sight range the three wait patiently for Anja's distraction before barrelling down silently upon the row of archers.

From hidden vantage points both Zethyris and Julian wait patiently arrows trained on the nearby group as Anja's voices rings out in the night.

The men stand up suddenly for their work and weapons are hurriedly readied as Anja and her bodyguard step closer in the darkness. "Hey, who's out there? Announce yerself or my 'bow will do the talkin next."

The chargers are within charge range and the sneakers are within sixty feet of the first group. The men addressing Anja and Thorvald are wary and armed with a short bow, a light crossbow, a short spear and a short sword over seventy five feet away. You can wait for Anja or start attacking. The archers on the plain are aware something is happening but are still clustered together and unaware of their peril. Initiative as well please

init: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

Maybe have Skall use his healing magic on Sunfire?

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True to his word, Skallangbiorn reaches out with his hand to gift Sunfire with the blessings of his god.

Casting Cure Light Wounds

That done, the cleric looks to Rutilux and Jediah and gestures that he'll cast his spell of Silence on the knight's signal.

Actions List
☩ Initiative: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (8) + 3 = 11

☩ Concentration Check: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (10) + 9 = 19
      (Casting Silence on Horseback / Combat)

☩ CLW Sunfire: 1d8 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9

Anja raises her hands to demonstrate she is unarmed.

"You dare to aim your weapons at a jadwiga?! I could have you beheaded for that alone. Lucky for you I am in a benevolent mood tonight. I am Anja Aelena. I was riding out in those hills. But my carriage got stuck in a gorge. I need some strong men to help me retrieve it. It is a really delicate vehicle, fashioned like a swan. It is very dear to me and I am afraid the savage creatures living in the warrens might damage it. So we must hasten."

Bluff: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (2) + 11 = 13
Intimidate: 1d20 + 15 ⇒ (7) + 15 = 22

Initiative: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (2) + 6 = 8

Zethyris keeps his target in sight and prepares to loose an arrow if Anja's bluff is called or someone else attacks.

Readied Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (8) + 8 = 16
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 6
Stealth (Sniping): 1d20 + 13 - 20 ⇒ (2) + 13 - 20 = -5

I guess I misread the DC required. Poor horse *wince*

Rutilux pats his steed in silent apology and shoots the cleric a soft nod of thanks before turning his eyes back on their targets.

Init: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7

The men staring out towards Ana's direction but in the darkness can't make out too man details. Looking at each other quickly they hurriedly lower their weapons. "B. Begging your lady ships pardon. We had no idea someone of your stature was out here so far from the world. Hoed, you finish up here while we help the lady." as three of the men move towards Ana and Thorvlad while the fourth remains behind finishing whatever task they are doing.
"If I may be so bold lady, have you come to join our Lady Verisse's hunt? Or was your drive unfamiliar with the land?"

Meanwhile several of the archers have noticed the distraction/commotion but the man left behind waves them off.

"Oh, a hunt? That sounds exciting! Thank you for the invitation. When does it start? What is Lady Verisse hunting? Is this what you are doing here? Preparing the hunt? Come, I'll lead the way to my carriage. We can talk along the way."

Knowledge nobility: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5
No idea who that Verisse is. But at least it's not my sister.

Before departing Anja takes a curious look at the devices planted by the Irrisenians.
Perception: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (2) + 5 = 7
"These are really funny looking ... things. What exactly are they?"

"Yes ma'am, the Lady Verisse arrives tomorrow for her bi-annual hunt of the local kobolds infesting these hills. Indeed we are making preparations to smoke the lizards out of their tunnels. That's what the bags are. Filled with something her chemist thought up to flush me out and make them more vicious, my Lady gets bored hunting regular prey.."

The three men continue on behind but leaving enough room to ensure that they are following rather than walking with you. As well as giving the large bodyguard plenty of room.

The fourth man, Hoed, finishes up with the package he was storing in the nearby crack and starts moving farther along the trail unknowingly right towards Julian.

Slightly to the side Zethyris can see Gnasher crouched amongst the rocks staring bloody murder at the three walking past him as he wrings his hands on the hilt of his sword.

Thorvald follows Anja dutifully. Ready to act if necessary, but for now it seems things are going smoothly.

"Marvellous. How many guests are you expecting for the hunt? What are you doing with that army of archers, by the way? Are you afraid the kobolds might come out early?"

"Guests? No the Lady usually hunts alone but sometimes other nobles join her when they are looking to gain favour. We brought extra hands this time because we had a little trouble on the last hunt. One kobold managed to fight through and killed a few of my lady's prized worgs. We don't want a repeat of that mistake. Um, begging your pardon ma'am but how much farther?"

Im leaving it up to everyone to initiate battle, these men won't dare starting a fight with a Jagwidja.

"We should be really close now. This place looks familiar, but I'm not sure which way we need to turn here ... these hills and warrens all look the same. Lets split up." Turning to the leader of the three: "You and my bodyguard take the right hand side, together with me." To the other two: "The two of you go left. If you see my carriage, shout and we will come. If the carriage is on our side, we will shout to let you know."

As soon as the other two are out of sight around the corner and approximately 200 feet away, Ana stops to give Thorvald the signal:

"Now, Thorvald."

She turns around and shouts (loud enough for the other two men to hear):

"Oh, here it is. Quick, come here! I found my carriage!"

Initiative: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (12) + 5 = 17

The idea is to get some distance between them so we won't have to face them in melee all at once. Am I right to assume that it is night time and people are carrying torches?

Charge!

Init: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (6) + 1 = 7
Sorry I fell behind. Normally rutilux would wait for the silence spell but I think Jed just nixed that part of the plan. As for the rest...

Visible breath comes out in a snort from Sunfire's nostrils and Rutilux lowers his lance and charges in a gallop. Behind his visor, Rutilux's eyes narrow as he closes on the archer.

Cavalier's Charge, +4 to hit, -0 on AC rather than the usual +2/-2
To hit: bonus included 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25
Dmg: 2d8 + 12 ⇒ (5, 2) + 12 = 19 or maybe it's just 2d8+6..not sure if just the dice are doubled, or the whole thing

Should he down the first foe, he continues onto the next, should the first foe not go down, he thrusts his lance again at the fellow

Ride By Combat may help if he needs to keep moving to get next one, but either way
2nd attack this round 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25
dmg: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (4) + 6 = 10

Possible crit on second attack, to confirm 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (9) + 5 = 14
If confirmed, dmg: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9
Formatting is everything. Edited

Jediah follows and strikes out with his glaive as they close on the archers. He lashes out on any that withstands Rurilux's blow or aims at a fresh target

Earth's Vigil: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (10) + 13 = 231d10 + 7 ⇒ (7) + 7 = 14

Sounds like a signal to me. Here we go...

Zethyris looses his shot at the nearest enemy.
Do you want me to roll again, or just use my readied attack from before?

At Jediah's signal, Skallangbiorn casts Silence on Rutilux's shield. As the silence falls among them, he spurs his horse and follows along with the others.

The eerie quiet of their approach belies the grim violence in the cleric's eyes.

Crud, forgot the crunchy bits...
Skall's Actions List
☩ Ride Check: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (19) + 2 = 21
☩ Concentration Check: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (8) + 9 = 17
      (Casting Silence on Horseback / Combat)

Thorvald feels bad for the man he is about to kill. He expected the Irriseans to perhaps look and act different from other men. These do not. They act as any serving their lords and masters dutifully.

"What if these men would serve Savol? . . . We do not have the luxury of finding out. I must focus on the mission, but I can give this man a clean death."

At the signal, Thorvald swings his great axe with everything he has hoping to catch the man flat footed and unawares and remove his head.

"Next you know, you will be with our ancestors, you will have a better life in the next one!"

Great Axe rage and power attack: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (20) + 13 = 33
Natural 20!
To confirm: 1d20 + 13 ⇒ (3) + 13 = 16

Damage: 3d12 + 16 ⇒ (12, 7, 3) + 16 = 38

Do you only get one attack in a suprise round?

The man has only a moment to contemplate Ana's comment before turning to stare at Thorvald's axe bearing down upon him and the next two halves of the Irrissian man hit the ground with a sickening splotch sound. Thorvald looks about for others while Ana stares down at her ruined shoes now red and sticky.

Zethyris pops around from behind the rock he hid behind and buries his arrow in the man setting the traps. Unfortunately at this distance he wasn't able to hit anything fatal and the man stares from the arrow to Zethyris in shock.

Rutilux, Jediah and Skallagbiorn crash across the flat ground towards the archers. The crash of their armour and the beating hooves silenced by Gorum's blessing as the mounts and riders barrel through three men and the riders' weapon silence three more, halving the their number in mere seconds. Everything is going fantastic until one of the men farther on, beyond the blanket of Skallagbiorn's magic, yells out in alarm after seeing three riders appear out of the darkness and trample his comrades. Two of the remaining six turn and start running in separate directions towards the broken ground and more men.

Julien quickly buries his own arrow in the trappers throat before he can let out his own warning.

Thorvald feels remorse. These men did not seems to be warriors. He wondered if Skall would see glory for Gorum in the slaughter of sheep.

That was too easy. Poor guy.

Ana pats Thorvald on the shoulder - half approvingly, half for support - and whispers:
"Close your eyes when I cast my next spell."

Then she begins running back, towards the other two Irrisenians, while continuing to shout orders, pretendedly aimed at the unlucky man whose blood is on her shoes now:
"Yes, that is definitely my carriage ... Be careful when pulling it out! Don't damage it! Wait for the other two before pulling. They will be here any moment."

As soon as she can see their torch, she murmurs a magic word that makes the flame explode into a blinding flash of light.
Readying to cast Pyrotechnics as soon as they become visible.
Blinded for ... rounds: 1d4 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3

If Zethyris is able to charge his target, he will drop his bow and do so.
If not, move forwards as much as possible and take another shot with the bow.

Zethyris, noticing he's been spotted, leaps forwards and tries to finish his target off.

Attack: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22 add another +4 if I can make a charge with my sword, for 26 to hit
Damage: 1d6 ⇒ 3
Damage: 1d8 + 1 ⇒ (2) + 1 = 3 Well, damage is the same regardless.

Jediah looks about, is about to speak but realizes he is still under the effects of the silence and instead gestures at all of them and then bears down on one of the remaining three men
Earth's Vigil: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (4) + 11 = 151d10 + 7 ⇒ (1) + 7 = 8
Earth's Vigil: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (16) + 5 = 211d10 + 7 ⇒ (6) + 7 = 13

It is odd to ride in silence. There's no pounding of hooves, no clash of metal against another man's armor. He moves towards the next one, charging him as well

Cavalier style charge 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (3) + 12 = 15
Dmg 2d8 + 12 ⇒ (7, 1) + 12 = 20

And will run the fellow through again if he must.
To hit: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (19) + 5 = 24
dmg: 1d8 + 6 ⇒ (3) + 6 = 9

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Skallangbiorn nods understanding. As Jediah charges for one runner, and Rutilux angles for the other, the cleric rides in the half-orc's wake. As they pass the remaining four bowmen Skall focuses on his range from them and then unleashes his god's anger in a wave of force, seeking to attack their loyalty to the evil Irrisen witch fostering the cowardly hunt.

☩ Alignment Channel: 3d6 ⇒ (1, 2, 2) = 5
      - vs. Evil alignment
      - DC 17 for half
      - 30 ft radius

Cavalry initiative:
Jediah 17
Archers 14
Skallagbiorn 11
Rutilux 7

Ambush initiative:
Ana 17
Trappers 12
Hunters 9
Zethyris 8
Gnasher 6
Julian 1
Thorvald 1

Jediah leads his mount towards one of the four archers standing their ground and stabbing downward manages a nearly fatal wound upon the archer who steps back and fires his crossbow point blank but the quarrel fails to find its mark as it shatters on Jediah's enchanted plate. The other three fire at Skallagbiorn and Rutilux missing wide or shattering arrow and quarrel against armour. Skallagbiorn attempts to ride another one down but the man has his wits about him and he ducks under his great sword. Rutilux spurs His companion forward in a burst of speed to overtake another archer as he attempts to reload his crossbow. Three feet of steel plated wood punch through the mans chest dropping the man dead instantly.

As the two men run closer their lanterns bob and bounce in the night until Ana's spell targets on which erupts in a brilliant burst of light seen for miles around as it cuts the darkness of the night with its fiery red glow. The two men are startled by the light but hurl the lantern away as they shield their eyes. Most of a group of three men that you hadn't seen before are bathed in light and two of them clutch their eyes but the man laying the parcel looks up as the light fades from sight. Meanwhile Zethyris is forced to duck and weave as several men from farther away attempt to skewer him and Julian with arrows. Out of nowhere Gnasher appears nearby and jumping out from an outcropping severs a man from his neck to his ribs hissing and grinning as he looks for more. A little farther away Julian ducks down and disappears amongst the cracks and crevasse that surround all of you. Thorvald rushes towards the two men nearby his axe glowing in the moonlight

Skall, alignment channel only woks against outsiders

Ah, what a marrooon! Thanks for the catch, Arc. But better make my attack with the morningstar so I can keep a hand on the reins, heh heh.

Ana throws a fireball at the group of three that was revealed by her burst of light.

Not sure how far away they are - just to make sure: the fireball is supposed to detonate in a place where Thorvald and Ana will be outside of the blast radius. So if they are really close, she will make the fireball detonate behind them.

Fireball damage: 6d6 ⇒ (6, 1, 4, 5, 6, 2) = 24

Spells remaining: 3rd 3/4, 2nd 5/6, 1st 8/8

"We are going to have to hurry. That was brighter than I intended. People will come and investigate. Sorry."

Cavalry initiative:
Jediah 17
Archers 14
Skallagbiorn 11
Rutilux 7

Ambush initiative:
Ana 17
Trappers 12
Hunters 9
Zethyris 8
Gnasher 6
Julian 1
Thorvald 1

Jediah twists his glaive and stabs the wounded archer with his blade, ending his misery before turning his mount after one of the men escaping into the terrain. The man facing off against Skallgbiorn drops his weapon, trading it for a hafted axe that ricochets off of Skallagbiorn's calf guard as he growls in frustration. The last remaining man eyes the rough terrain and the horses before dropping his weapon and brandishing a sword as he moves to strike at Skallgbiorn, but the priest's armour deflects another strike. Skallagbiorn, guiding his well trained mount with his knees drives his great sword down in a fierce thrust that fells the axe wielder, burying its point deeply in his chest. Rutilux turns away from the fleeing pair and kicks Sunfire towards Skallagbiorn as his lance finds another target, punching effortlessly through the man's leathers.

Ana reacts quickly and hurls a mighty blast of mystic energies at the three revealed men which manifests itself as a fiery sphere of destruction that crashes into their midst and burns all of them to ashes. Thorvald continues to run run towards the two other men while Julian moves to flank the archers firing at Zethyris. Two of the arrows fired at Zethyris manage to find their way past the outcroppings and his own guard as their arrows pierce the skin (3&7 damage) but Zethyris' return volley is fouled by the rocks between them.

[ooc]Two archers are roughly 180 ft away from the chargers and less than sixty feet to the start of the broken ground. Three men are firing at Zethyris from behind some cover and spaced out. The two men who originally came with Ana and Thorvald are twenty five feet away from Thorvald and just under two hundred from Ana.

Thorvald is impressed, but suprised that Anja used such flashy destructive magics.

No doubt they saw that in town if not further.

Thorvald charges the two men bringing his axe up in an arc.

Werewolf lords axe, charge, rage, power attack: 1d20 + 11 + 2 ⇒ (9) + 11 + 2 = 22
Damage: 1d12 + 16 ⇒ (1) + 16 = 17

Skall says none of these can be trusted, that we should slay them all, but these are not warriors. These men are peasants . . . Thralls.

The barbarian stabs a finger at the men and growls, "Yield! Or die like the others!"

Jediah holds off a bit to see if the men yield.

I've had enough of this pincushion business. Time to get a little closer.

Zethyris drops his bow and dashes towards the archer on the end closest to him, sliding Clarise from her sheath. Closest archer, but not the middle one. Double moving (60 ft) to get closer. How much farther to go?

Unable to hear what Thorvald is doing, if Rutilux SEES what Thorvald is doing (Talking rather than fighting) he veers away from that group to see if there is another target that is NOT surrendering.

Cavalry initiative:
Jediah 17
Archers 14
Skallagbiorn 11
Rutilux 7
Ambush initiative:
Ana 17
Trappers 12
Hunters 9
Zethyris 8
Gnasher 6
Julian 1
Thorvald 1

Those on horseback refrain from pursuing the two into the broken ground, allowing them to get to cover.

Ana stands back and let's Thorvald deal with the two men while one of the men near Gnasher fires his crossbow but it flies over the kobold's head. The three men firing at Zethyris reload and fire again but their bolts and arrows ricochet against the rocks nearby as Zethryis drops his bow and makes his way closer. Gnasher rushes towards his assailant but comes up short. Julien continues moving in silence towards the men firing at Zethyris. Thorvald runs up to the two men and cleaves through the man on the right before pointing a meaty finger at the other other man and yelling for him to yield causing the man to drop his crossbow, and probably soiling himself as well, as he stares back at the towering beast of a man that Thorvald is.

Jediah will ride up to the broken ground and dismount, drawing his longbow. Hopefully he will draw attention away from the skulking Julian.

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Skallangbiorn spies Julian's move and rides up to hold abreast of the half-orc but 20 feet to his left as he pulls his helm and places it on his head. The burning red eyes stare outward to the broken ground.

There is an anger growing beneath his armored chest, one that swirls and bites and reminds Skallangbiorn that he is killing in support of kobolds. The ends of finding this crown for the Kodiakborne are not justifying the means. His anger is made manifold in the sight of these Irissen fools, setting the stage for a slaughter of hapless kobolds.

Yet these fools fall like parchment. What honor is there in murdering idiots but only to wipe their foolish stains from the eyes of my Great Lord. But perhaps there is a greater victory here to be had...

He holds his greatsword and points it towards the broken ground. The cleric adds the formidable power of his god to his words as he calls to the enemies skulking in the broken ground. "I am Heregrihm the Ironhand, weapon of the Great Lord Gorum and in the service of Jadwiga Anja Aelena. Lay down your arms and surrender immediately and you may find mercy... Surrender not, and by the Great Lord in Iron I will see each and every one of you dead and your bodies mutilated until even Pharasma will not know where to send your miserable souls!!"

Actions List
☩ Concentration: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (5) + 9 = 14 ...
      Activate Touch of Glory

☩ Intimidate Check: 1d20 + 2 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 2 + 6 = 24

After witnessing the prowess and powers of all of you and Thorvald, and now Skallabiorn's demands for surrender. The few remaining men and women carefully lower their weapons and raise their arms. More surprisingly, several groups of individuals that you hadn't seen or you assumed had fled once the fighting started stand up to surrender as well. In total there are roughly forty surviving people spread throughout the area, several far enough away that had they not stepped forwards to surrender could most likely have escaped.
One older, one eyed, man steps closer to Skallagbiorn, "The Lady Anja Aelana has powerful men sworn to her service. Has she come to these hills in a bid to claim these lands for her own?"

Everyone is free to interact. This combat is concluded and there's more than enough time for everyone to gather together in time for this dialogue.

. . . Oh s$&@. . .

Jediah looks confused at this development, not quite understanding the larger implications.

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"The Lady Anja Aelana has powerful men sworn to her service. Has she come to these hills in a bid to claim these lands for her own?"

He scans the area with burning red eyes, face unknowable from within his helm. As the older man asks his question, Skallangbiorn's right gauntlet rolls into a fist, leather and steel creaking. Then the fist glows with a shimmering red radiance as the cleric growls low like an angered bear. (Activating Touch of Glory) "Why would the Lady wish for these lands? A place full of kobolds and a people lacking the spine to fight them honorably. To the eyes of one bound to the Lord in Iron, this land is worth nothing." His red gaze settles on the one-eyed man.

As Lady Anja strides into the area with Thorvald at her side, Skallangbiorn continues. "But let us see what the Jawidga thinks."

Will they seek to throw their allegiance behind someone appearing stronger than their own master? I don't know if I could stomach having such gutless worms at my side... He nods greeting to Thorvald. I wonder, winter brother, is their surrender before our might a boon? Or do you see it is a way to spare lives and avoid guilt?

Once Anja arrives he bows his head in respect then returns his attentions to the gathering group of me and women who'd surrendered.

Action(s) List
☩ Activate Touch of Glory once more...

☩ Sense Motive: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (13) + 12 = 25 ...studying the older man speaking

☩ Diplomacy: 1d20 + 5 + 8 ⇒ (13) + 5 + 8 = 26 ...observing what decorum Skall knows, which is to say 'not much'

☩ Perception: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (19) + 3 = 22 ...surveying the gathering of surrendered. Are they actual fighters/scouts or more like peasantry?

Julian remains hidden, of course.

Anja is taken aback. Slaugthering innocent Irrisenians felt terrible - but loosing control of the situation feels even worse. She makes a throat-slitting gesture while staring at her servant Thorvald expectantly. Finally she hisses "We'll sort this out later. Lets take this one back to the others for now. Come."

As she gets back to the rest of her men, she orders them: "Collect your prisoners - and drive them together in one group - I don't want any of them to wander away!"

Adressing the older man: "My apologies. I did not expect the lady Verisse would employ such weak servants. We came here to serve the Lord in Iron - but we ended up serving Father Skinsaw instead."

sense motive: 1d20 ⇒ 13

"What is your name, old man? What concern of yours would it be if I did want to claim these Kobold-infested warrens as my own?"

When Anja appears all of the people captured see her and immediately drop to the ground and grovel, including the old man. "Lady. We serve the lady Verrise but we're not soldiers. We are hunters, trappers to be honest, we only served her lady ship by preparing the hunting grounds and her quarry for her. Lady Verrise's soldiers are terrifying wargs and cold blooded killers. If you intend to fight her I don't want my men to be in the way. We've surrendered and won't resist any more and I'll take responsibility for our actions tonight."

You can read a mix of weariness and concern a swell as obvious fear while confronted with Anja

"Cold blooded wargs, yes, that's the ones we are looking for! Tell me, where are Verisse and her soldiers now? Show it to me on a map if you can. When do you expect them to arrive here? Is she expecting a signal from you when everything is ready for her hunt?"

"The Lady will arrive tomorrow. She will set up her camp somewhere out on the plains north of here, wherever her whim decides, and then she will start her hunt tomorrow night whether we are prepared or not." he pauses for a moment as if deciding on whether to say something but continues, "Redjyr will usually arrive first with his pack, probably before dawn to make sure everything is prepared. Redjyr is a warg that serves the Lady, with a reddish black coat and terribly smart. If he suspects anything is amiss he and his back will attack and warn Lady Verrise."

"Thank you. Here is what will happen: we will leave you now - and you will forget all about us. You will finish your preparations and tell Redjyr that everything is ready for the hunt. We will hide your dead. If Redjyr asks about them, they are sick at home. Now, to ensure your cooperation ..."

Anja puts down her backpack and retrieves a small pouch from it, which she offers to the old man.
The pouch contains jewelry and gemstones worth 200 gp.

"Take this. Give some of it to the families of the deceased. Distribute the rest among your people. Make no mistake: this is a token of my sincere gratitude and apology towards you, but it will also incriminate you as our partner in crime in the eyes of Verrise and Redjyr, should they ever find out about it. So once you take this I can be sure you will not betray us. And that, in turn, would allow my men to let you live."

~~~~~

Later, assuming that the old man accepts the tainted gift, Anja departs with her group to discuss their strategy in private:

"That all went horribly wrong. But we need to act quick now, before things turn even worse for us. I say we ambush Verrise on her way here. We wait till Redjyr arrives, then we follow his tracks back to Verrise. Ideally, Redjyir won't notice anything amiss here. In that case we can ambush Verrise while part of her forces are away. Otherwise we can intercept Redjyr on his way back to warn Verrise. What do you say?"