Muroi |
Muroi smiles "Nice to meet you, Svetlana. My name is Muroi. It looks and smells tasty." Muroi sits and takes some food. "Excuse me ma´am, we are not too late for?" He will start to eat, he wants to take a bath too, but he knows he has to wait for his turn and it would be a long wait.
Maybe, he could change his mind if the water is so cold. "Probably, we could heat the water someway"
Terri Riverrun |
"At this point, I think even a cold bath would be nice. I need to at least wash out my hair."
Terri says after getting off of her pony, and stretching her back out. She looks around at the outpost before turning to Svetlana.
"You wouldn't happen to have a place where we could stable our mounts tonight? I think Starlight here would very much like a roof over her head tonight." She pauses for a moment and then looks like she just remembered something, "My name is Terri and it is a pleasure to meet you, especially when the food smells so good."
Ekan Waterfield |
"Exactly, we've been tasked with exploration of the Greenbelt, and ordered also to help bring a bit of law and order to the region if need be," Ekan echoes the others. "You seem in some need, perhaps we aren't exactly what you were expecting, but we might be of some use in whatever is troubling you."
Odo Tealeaf |
Odo helped Oleg with the ponies, although he didn't like Drowsy all that much he didn't want it to leave it on stranger hands. He asks the man:"So how come you have no servants doing all the hard labor? I understand that it's a bit far from the bigger towns, but it's still not quite in the wilderness."
GM Buggula |
Svetlana's once cheerful expression seems to drop with every second. The poor woman looks exasperated "Oh gods! When we were told Restov was sending a group of adventurers, we assumed it was to help with our bandit problem. They've been coming the first day of every month demanding tribute - they've threatened...horrible things, and nearly run us out of business!" She drops to her knees in the dirt and pleads "Please help us! Tomorrow is the first of the new month!"
Oleg gives Odo what could easily been a grimace as a smile. "Heh, I came out to this fort to get away from all the people. I like the solitude." Hearing the commotion outside, he returns to see his wife in tears and demands to know what's going on. Svetlana explains the mixup as best as she can, at which point Oleg curses loudly and storms off around the corner.
Ekan Waterfield |
"Please, good woman," Ekan tries to help Svetlana up, "Of course we'll help you. And it just so happens, you are dealing with a group of individuals well suited to not just taming these lands, but banditry as well. Why, they've... he gestures to the other halflings already drawn the eye of a noble of Lodovka through their deeds. Bards will be singing songs of their actions." I think I can guarentee that last one.
He tries to get her hopes up
Diplomacy?: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (15) + 7 = 22
Terri Riverrun |
"Ekan, I'd prefer a warm meal and a soft bed to a song about myself."
Terri turns to Svetlana, pulling out her flute as she does.
"A tune, or three, and a sharp pointy death for some bandits seem like good payment?"
Ekan Waterfield |
Ekan chuckles, at her first comment, but his smile increases as he sees her pull out her flute. "You play? How wonderful. I didn't know."
To Oleg's wife, "I would be happy to play for you as well, but I've the feeling its bandits being stopped that you want more than a song yourself."
Terri Riverrun |
"Mmhmm"
Terri puts the flute up to her lips and plays a few experimental notes before beginning a cheerful little ditty.
Perform (Wind Instruments): 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (11) + 7 = 18
GM Buggula |
Svetlana rises to her feet, her teary eyes glimmering with hope once more. She turns toward Muroi, her tone more serious "They first came 3 months ago, threatening to burn down the trading post and abduct me for their amusement if we didn't hand over all the furs and trade goods accumulated over the past month. Since then, the bandits have been back twice more, always within an hour of sunrise on the first day of the month. There was a dozen the first time, including a woman who did all the talking. She was cruel - stole my wedding ring right right off my finger. Didn't come the other times though; just a crude hooded man and six others, then four. The woman had 2 hatchets, and the men all had bows. They come on horseback. We have to have the goods ready and hand them over quickly - the bandits seem eager to get back to wherever they came from."
Ekan Waterfield |
"Mmhmm"
Terri puts the flute up to her lips and plays a few experimental notes before beginning a cheerful little ditty.
Perform (Wind Instruments): 1d20+7
"Lovely," The bard says as he listens, seeming to have forgotten that the subject was bandits. Pulling out his mandolin, he starts to join in.
Perform (string): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20
Svetlana rises to her feet, her teary eyes glimmering with hope once more. She turns toward Muroi, her tone more serious "They first came 3 months ago, threatening to burn down the trading post and abduct me for their amusement if we didn't hand over all the furs and trade goods accumulated over the past month. Since then, the bandits have been back twice more, always within an hour of sunrise on the first day of the month. There was a dozen the first time, including a woman who did all the talking. She was cruel - stole my wedding ring right right off my finger. Didn't come the other times though; just a crude hooded man and six others, then four. The woman had 2 hatchets, and the men all had bows. They come on horseback. We have to have the goods ready and hand them over quickly - the bandits seem eager to get back to wherever they came from."
But when Svetlana is speaking, he makes the music very soft, and listens. His face grows sympathetic at the description of what these poor folks have had to endure.
It's enough to take the joy out of your jig
GM Fnord |
"Archers on horseback. Not the easiest things for a group of half-heights to fight. Maybe if we block the gate so that it's too small to let in horses, and hunker down inside? Then they'll have to come in on foot and in close, and we'll have a much better shot. If we hide our own ponies inside, they should have no reason to think anyone's here to help Oleg and Svetlana."
Ekan Waterfield |
"Not a bad strategy. Anyone have any gifts , magic or some such that can take a few down in one blow as it were, once we seperate them from their horses?" Ekan says "There are stories where bards can cause whole armies to dance helplessly, but if there ever was such a fellow, hesure isn't me."
Muroi |
"I don´t think so Nazdip. If we block the gate, they would suspect that anything is wrong. I suggest let them get in, when they are taking the stuff, we attack by surprise with range attacks. Starting with the leader. The other men should be with their hands carrying things, so you can attack them. That is my sugestion"
Terri Riverrun |
"We could trap the gate if we had time."
Terri chimes in. She looks lost in thought, now that her tune's done and the rest of the party's discussing how best to tackle this next problem.
Terri Riverrun |
"Hmm? Oh, I think I could, maybe, but not in a night. I was thinking something a little more blunt. Like logs knocking people off horses."
GM Buggula |
Oleg comes back around the corner and joins in on the conversation. "Bah! Those brigands are cowards at heart - only ganging up on us cuz we can't fight back. I reckon if we give them a good whoopin', they won't dare to come back again for awhile...'specially if I hang their bodies from the palisade wall as a warning to the rest. B'sides, by then the guards Restov has promised will be here for sure."
At Muroi's suggestion, his eyes light up with a fiery grin. "That's it! We'll put out our wares like usual, and y'all can hide in the guest house or the stable, and rush 'em when their backs are turned!"
Muroi |
"Ok, this is my idea. Terri, Lillith and I hide in the guest house, Odo, Nazdip and Ekan in the stable. When they are taking the goods, Lillith can cast that spell to sleep them. Then I cast a magic missile as the sign to start all our attacks. If you can first attack with range attack would be great, but, if Nazdip and Odo can attack face to face, it would be awesome, they do a lot of damage. What do you say?" He says it excited and with a smile.
Odo Tealeaf |
Odo doesn't say nothing for a long time thinking of the proper way to solve this mess. "The nature has many ways of solving such problems", Odo laughts... "I might get them to avoid using their horses, or at least slow them down considerably. Leave that part to me, you guys should worry on how to get as many of them down to their graves. And I think we might need to use range tactics this time as Muroi said."
GM Buggula |
As you finish your meal, Svetlana takes you to the guest house and shows you your beds. She smiles warmly at you all as she leaves you alone for the night.
updated map
A2 is guest house. A3 is stables. A4 is store room. A5 are middens.
Muroi |
"Good night Svetlana, and thank you for everything." Muroi says, when she is leaving the guest room.
Muroi will use some water to clean his mouth, face and hands before to sleep.
"I´m going to bed, I want to rest to be ready early tomorrow. Remember friends, we should be ready arround 4 a.m. Take care and sweet dreams"
Terri Riverrun |
"Night."
Terri will set up her hammock where she can see the stars, if it's not too cold. I guess any where they've got two hooks close enough and low enough to reach will do.
Ekan Waterfield |
Ekan enjoys the meal and thanks the couple graciously. He cleans off afterwards in a basin, and tries not to shiver at the 'four in the morning talk'. Some perks of living with the noblity, he's certainly going to miss.
"Rest well, all. May the goddess of dreams surrender sweet cargo only to us all tonight." Finding a place to sleep, he unrolls his bedroll and seeks what sleep he can.
GM Buggula |
You're awakened by Oleg while it's still quite dark. Silently, he gestures for you to follow. In the darkness, you see a pile of furs and other wares stacked on a cart in the middle of the courtyard. He motions you to the stables on the far side of the cart and in a low voice says "Hide over there or in the guest house. We'll be locked safely in our room - I'm trusting you on this. Desna's luck be with you."
With that, he turns and leaves you for his house. You catch sight of a face in the window briefly silhouetted by a soft glowing lamp before it, too disappears.
Muroi |
"Good morning" Muroi stretches.
Muroi quickly makes the bed "Ok, it´s time."
When Oleg disappeared "Let´s do it as we planned it. Good luck to everyone." He hides on M25 to see the cart and to Lillith. "From here, I can cast magic missile."
To Lillith "I don´t know about your spell, but you can stay in the guest room and leave from it to cast it. I guess."
Odo Tealeaf |
Half asleep and not in the mood for the battle that will begin in a couple of hours, Odo washes his eyes then returns to the guest room. For him that is the perfect place, not too far away to only be a spectator and not too close to be the first victim. He hoped that their plan would work and that the bandits would either run away empty handed or will die in a quick death. "Well, I'm ready. I can even take a nap till bandits come."
Spells prepared: Entagle, Summon minor ally, Obscuring Mist
Terri Riverrun |
Terri wakes and gets ready for the battle after taking down her hammock and stowing it out of sight. She checks her daggers and her rapier to be sure they're in good shape. After donning and checking her armor, she joins Ekan in the stables.
Stealth: 1d20 + 11 ⇒ (7) + 11 = 18
Lillith Leagallow |
"If they are close enough I can't help but see them, I can cast the spell." Lillith tells Muroi as she takes his advice, hiding near the door of the guest house. She checks over her crossbow before settling to talk with Mr. Rpyt.
Stealth:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (14) + 8 = 22
Spells prepared are at the bottom of my profile.
GM Buggula |
Time seems to pass slowly in the chill pre-morning darkness as you lie in wait. Just as the first hints of light start to show in the eastern sky, your patience is rewarded as you hear the sound of horses galloping and quickly drawing nearer.
The pack rides through the open gate of the fort, and you can make out four figures riding with several empty horses. Without delay, they jump down from their mounts and begin loading their horses with the pile left out by Oleg. You can hear them making crude comments about Svetlana and loud threats toward Oleg, taunting him to come out from his hiding.
updated map
I realize that horses in PRPG are 10' square, but I'm going to make an executive decision to houserule horses as 10'x5', like they were in 3.5. Mainly because I'd have a hard time fitting all of the bandits, plus 6 horses somewhere on that map.