GM Bret |
“Only the little lordling that Wicent took captive. We were sent to clean up any evidence left behind.” Yellow says, gesturing towards the bleeding bandit at Kleines feet.
Phinellippa Dioptrice |
"Little lordling? Where did you take him?!"
The Amazing CoCo lands on Phinellippa's head to aid in the glare the tiny gnome is currently giving to the bandits.
GM Bret |
Yellow looks to Red who looks back to him.
This is a good time to ask for an intimidate, diplomacy or bluff check. Right now, it sort of sounds like at least Phinellippa is going for Intimidate.
Rees Kovu |
Rees, who's been unstringing and cleaning his bow carefully, looks up. "Answering would be wise," he comments quietly.
Intimidate: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (8) + 6 = 14
GM Bret |
“Aldona, the mistress of the moon, would not like it if we told people where to find the camp.” Yellow says, looking to the northeast.
“She has granted us power that will multiply come the next full moon!” Red brags, showing off some sort of scar on his forearm. “You would do well to release us and go another way!”
Verrix the Pathfinder |
Does Verrix know of this Aldona, mistress of the moon? Knoweldge (Religion): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
He steps forward towards the other two bandits, and says, "We will not like it if you don't tell people where your camp is, and you've already seen that we can do more than scar your arm!"
Intimidate Aid Another: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (1) + 2 = 3
...however, he sneezes halfway through saying it, completely ruining the effect.
GM Bret |
Never heard of her. Knowledge local would be the skill to use.
Yellow and Red look at each other, then Kleines.
Red looks to Rees and says “We couldn’t possibly guide you to her camp, she would kill us.” while pointing to the northeast.
Kleines Johann |
4 people marked this as a favorite. |
"A shame you can't guide us" Kleines says, over the metaphorical sound of a hint whoosing far over his head. "Still, it's good to know you've learned a valuable lesson today about putting yourselves in harm's way."
Shieara Enric |
Shie Int Check: 1d20 ⇒ 16
"Oh uh, yeah, total shame," Shieara agrees with Klenies. "Guess we'll just hafta make an educated guess an' go from there. Always heard that goin' northeast is a good a place as any t' start with when you're lookin' for somethin', though."
Curious, she peers at the scar on Red's arm. "An' what sorta power comes tied t' th' moon?"
Kn. Religion: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (13) + 4 = 17
GM Bret |
I will consider the original Int check you did as a Heal check for looking at the scar.
Looking at the scar on Red's upper arm, Shieara thinks they look like they were inflicted by the teeth of a predatory animal, such as a wolf or dog. She also notices the same sort of scar on Yellow's arm.
"Aldona says after the full moon we will gain the same powerful blessing that make her so dangerous. The whole area will be prey to us!" Red brags.
Some of you are thinking that Red should probably think about the audience a little more before bragging like that.
Verrix the Pathfinder |
Verrix says, "Very well. We said we would spare you, but we cannot allow you to run free and continue your depredations."
To the others, he says, "Let's disarm them and bind them so they cannot threaten us or escape, and bring them with us."
He gets some rope out of his pack and begins to implement his suggestion.
GM Bret |
Wicent is dead by the time Verrix gets around to checking on the bandits.
Wisent had a masterwork heavy mace, longbow, 5 masterwork arrows, 2 tanglefoot bags, 2 thunderstones, masterwork studded leather, quiver with 20 arrows, silver ring worth 25 gp, 6 gp.
Yellow and Red both have the same equipment. On each of them you find a potion of cure light wounds, 4 masterwork arrows, 2 tanglefoot bags, 2 thunderstones, leather armor, longsword, sap, a longbow with 20 arrows, and 48 gp.
Collecting up the weapons, Verrix notices that all of the longswords and the mace have the same maker's mark -- an eagle clutching a pair of tongs.
Garif Stonetoe |
Garif smiles quietly as the bandits give away their camp's location without actually saying where it it. What use is their subtlety here, fifty miles from anything? Who is going to know whether they told us or not?
His smile fades as the bandits speak of their mistress, and the full moon, and the whole area becoming prey. He looks skeptically at Verrix, "You want to bring them with us? Seems they've broken all manner of laws, and are on the verge of breaking some laws of nature as well - I wonder if they shouldn't be drowned in this pond, or otherwise discouraged."
He shrugs, not having strong views on the matter, as Verrix ties the men up.
Shieara Enric |
"Normally I'd just say to stash them in a tree or somethin' 'till we head back this way but I guess there's always the possibility of some critter makin' a snack out of 'em while we're gone," Shieara remarks with a shrug. "More work to bring 'em with us but if you're all set on takin' 'em back to town later then I guess we'll just have to make do."
"Might be goin' rabid or somethin' though, those scars look like some sort of dog or wolf bite," she adds, frowning.
GM Bret |
“Not rabid, moon blessed!” Red proudly proclaims. “If I were rabid, I would be foaming at the mouth!”
Phinellippa Dioptrice |
Phinellippa assists Verrix, then whispers to the others. "We should make haste to this hideout. Lander must be in a perilous situation, if he is still alive!"
Verrix the Pathfinder |
Int roll: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
Hmm, probably not good enough for Verrix to remember where he's seen an eagle clutching a pair of tongs before.
Verrix says to the others, "Yes, it will be a pain to bring them with us, but I hesitate to administer summary judgement ourselves to prisoners who have surrendered to us. The right thing to do is to bring them back to town to face justice. But our mission may be urgent, and we don't have time to do that now. So, we should bring them with us."
He looks sternly at Red and Yellow. "If you give us any trouble, such as trying to escape, we will deal with it accordingly. Remember that your lives were spared only because you surrendered."
Back to his companions: "Let us be on our way."
GM Bret |
Yellow grumbles something to the effect of “Should have just run for it!” which earns him an angry glare from Red. Other than that, the bound prisoners don’t comment but do follow along.
After traveling for a couple of miles, you spot a plume of smoke.
A half-dozen tents forming a semi-circle around a large fire pit in this clearing on a hillside. The smell of roasting meat wafts through the air, and a plume of smoke rises from the fire. Several large barrels sit beside the opening of the largest of the tents.
You see two bandits tending the fire.
See Slide 4 for what you can see of the camp from a distance.
How do you want to approach and where are your prisoners?
Damiar Apastron |
Knowlege Local: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (10) + 7 = 17
Damiar considers and tries to see if she can recognize the maker’s mark. “Do you want Rees and I to stealth ahead? Or should we send Rees and Coco to scout, and have me keep us connected by message spell?”
GM Bret |
Garif Stonetoe |
"I don't think we should get too separated from each other," Garif says in response to Damiar's suggested approaches. "I say we tie our captured bandits to a tree here and make our way into the camp - but first last ask our friends Red and Yellow a few questions, since we brought them all this way."
He turns to the captive bandits and says, "Right, we can see two guards. How many of your fellows are there in camp? What kind of security is there? And what's in those barrels by the big tent?"
GM Bret |
“We surrendered, that is different than volunteering to be a snitch!” Red says in a haughty voice.
Shieara Enric |
"Right, guess your boss will have t' believe that when she sees us comin' an' pulling you lot along behind us," Shieara remarks sarcastically. "We totally just stumbled t' th' right spot by dumb luck! Look, you nudged us this far, might as well tell us th' rest - ol' Verrix here'd probably put in a good word for you if you do."
Diplomacy: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (12) + 1 = 13
Verrix the Pathfinder |
Verrix says, "Indeed, if you help us now, and we mention this to the authorities back in Silverhall, we will ask them to be merciful. If you do not help us... we will just turn you over."
Diplomacy Aid Another: 1d20 + 7 ⇒ (8) + 7 = 15
In any event, once the bandits have said or not said what they will do, Verrix will follow Garif's suggestion and tie them behind a tree. There is no doubt that they would run away given the chance.
GM Bret |
I will note you got them talking via Intimidation, which doesn’t exactly put them on friendly terms. Now you are asking them to give dangerous aid. Those rolls were not enough.
Neither Red nor Yellow take your offer.
Shieara Enric |
Fair enough; for all her snark and grumbling, Shieara's really not inclined to take the Bad Cop approach unless someone makes her super angry!
Shieara sighs as it becomes apparent that honeyed words aren't going to get them anywhere. "Alright then, maybe one of you can get them talkin'," she mutters to the rest of the group. "Or we'd better get to lookin' around ourselves, hopefully all quiet-like."
Kleines Johann |
1 person marked this as a favorite. |
"Very well. Would you prefer we knocked you unconscious, to give you some deniability?" Kleines asks, completely earnestly.
GM Bret |
Red says “No, I would really rather see Aldona destroy you.” He is smiling as he says it, but it isn’t a friendly smile.
Yellow looks nervous, but doesn’t say anything either way.
Shieara Enric |
"Should probably do that anyway," Shieara mutters to Kleines, glaring at Red and Yellow. "Or at least gag 'em so they don't start hollerin' an' makin' a bunch of noise!"
Shie then turns to look at the Amazing CoCo, curious. "Huh...that's a good idea, Miss CoCo. After all, there's nothin' odd about seein' birds flyin' around out here."
Huh...I always thought wizards kept those pets of theirs around to play gofer. Never thought about using them for scouting and sneaking.
GM Bret |
Red glares at Shieara when she mentions gagging them. Evidently he had some ideas that a gag would interfere with.
Garif Stonetoe |
2 people marked this as a favorite. |
"I think we can all agree on giving these two a nice knock on the head," Garif says, nodding as Shieara speaks. "And I support tying them to a tree for good measure."
Laying a restraining hand on Nico as Coco flies enticingly close, the dwarf adds, "I also think having Coco take a look around sounds like a fine plan. I had considered offering to have Nico do the same, but he can't bring much information back, and folk tend to get a little more nervous about a panther than they do about a crow."
Damiar Apastron |
“Then lets have Coco scout... I’ll cast a message spell!”
GM Bret |
I need a stat block for The Amazing CoCo if they are to scout.
Kleines Johann |
"Hm, you don't think securely tying and gagging them will be sufficient, Garif?"
Shieara Enric |
"Why not do both? Better safe than sorry," Shieara remarks. "'Sides, not like we're doin' it for kicks."
GM Bret |
Thank you for the stat block. See discussion for my math on Stealth and a suggestion to improve CoCo.
CoCo tries out the message spell, then flies away to try and scout the bandit camp.
Stealth: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (19) + 10 = 29
Perception: 1d20 + 9 ⇒ (6) + 9 = 15
The Amazing CoCo flies through the trees to keep out of sight. They keep to the concealment provided by the branches to avoid detection.
They don’t find a way to see inside the big tent from concealment, but they can hear someone in there. The big tent opens in the direction of the camp fire, so there is no place to really hide and look in.
Other than the two sitting at the camp fire and at least one person in the big tent, CoCo doesn’t find any signs of hostiles.
While CoCo is scouting, you gag the two prisoners.
Do you want CoCo to stay there or return? Also, I believe any spell durations have expired by now,
GM Bret |
It was pointed out to me that the message spell lasts 10 minutes per level and was cast just before CoCo went to scout. I was thinking of spells cast since the last combat, not the message spell. The scouting would have taken less than 10 minutes.
Shieara Enric |
"Okay...so there's at least two more folks sittin' outside at the fire an' a third inside th' tent?" Shieara asks for confirmation once CoCo returns. "We could take three but where's the kid? Don't like th' idea of tryin' t' sneak or charge in without knowin' where he's at. Think they've got 'im stashed inside th' tent?"
Rees Kovu |
"Perhaps they would exchange him for one of their own," he comments thoughtfully, his emerald eyes staring off into the distance. Never thought I'd be part of making one of those deals... am I in trouble? I'm not! I'm not discontent with my place, really. I don't presume to know anything about leadership, and I'm okay with that!
Am I, though? Didn't I leave my people, my place, to go running off after Nuthatch, without consulting the leaders? Why would I do that? Surely they would've authorized the trip; they know how loyal I am, and nothing can change that. Surely they'd want her brought back...
Breaking out of his reverie, he glances toward Shieara and the others to see if they heard his remark.
Shieara Enric |
"Sure, they might," Shieara shrugs. "But that'd still leave th' region with a bandit problem, wouldn't it? Be nice if we could kill two birds with one stone an' get th' kid back and take care of th' bandits at th' same time."
Kleines Johann |
3 people marked this as a favorite. |
Birds? What do birds have to do with the moon?
Kleines Johann |
"Yes, as much as I prefer talking, I think we'd do best to remand these threats to the proper authorities."
I vote frontal assault, as Kleines is poorly suited to stealth.
Shieara Enric |
"Now that's somethin' we can agree on," Shieara grins, giving Kleines a friendly slap on the back. "But we need t' make sure they don't go killin' Landers while we're stompin' all over their little camp."
She pauses for a moment, thinking. "Maybe some of us could try distractin' 'em long enough t' let th' rest try an' sneak Landers out? If not, thinkin' that going in through th' front is th' next best idea since I don't think most of us can creep worth a darn."
__________
Shieara isn't very suited to be stealthy either, so I also vote either a frontal assault or making some sort of two-prong assault/distraction gambit.
Garif Stonetoe |
Garif points a thick thumb of approval into the air as Shieara and Kleines suggest an approach, saying, "I'm not much for sneaking either, though Nico can manage pretty well. I say we just go at 'em. If they attack us right away, we charge in and fight, and if they don't, maybe we can talk our way through this. And if not, we fight."
I think laying out a two-pronged approach is probably overly complicated. I say we approach, try to diplomacize or intimidate them (or fool them into thinking we're lost in the woods?), and if that doesn't work, we'll have a fight on our hands. Which is kind of what we're expecting anyway, no?
Verrix the Pathfinder |
Verrix says, "I concur. Let's go in directly, and try to convince them they're overmatched and that they should surrender. If they don't, we'll fight. One of us should focus on trying to find Landers as soon as we get there, to make sure that he's not in peril. I will do that, although it may be that I'm better used at the front of the fight."
Shieara Enric |
"Hey, that works fer me too," Shieara nods, pausing for a moment to crack her knuckles before hefting her longspear once more. "I'd prob'ly be better use right behind Kleines an' whoever else wants to lead in gettin' things started."
GM Bret |
Adjust your positions on the map for where you really want to be.
You approach the camp, keeping mostly to cover until you are close.
The men notice you when you are about 40' away. "Hey boss! We got company!" the one in green shouts.
You hear a shout from within the large tent "We ain't expecting company you fools! Why aren't you killing them?"
Combat hasn't started yet, if anyone wants to try diplomacy.