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Wadi carefully sheathes his precious wand on seeing Glorne heal himself...in some way he had never seen before.
I should ask him about this later...
Keeping his attention upon the lone bandit his eyes flash dangerously, "Do not think you can escape either! Now perhaps you would care to enlighten us as to how your prisoner came to be here!" He glances at the dead woman Aldona, "And whether your ex-Mistress held his fancy, or whether blackmail was involved!"
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As the flames disappear from Nei-lung's limbs, he surveys the scene. He had heard of werewolves, of course, and various other lycanthropes, but never actually encountered one before. If this one is any indication of what they are capable of, I think I would be fine if I never met another. If I do, hopefully it will be on our side.
He walks over to the remaining bandit. Kicking his blade further away from him, he stares the bandit down. ”’It is when we hurt that we learn.’ I hope you have hurt enough to learn to cooperate. Tell us what is in the tent, truthfully, before my allies here feel you have not learned enough.”
As Dante walks into the tent, he immediately notices a large chest with a large lock, moving slightly as someone struggles inside, his voice muffled (probably both by being in a chest, and from being gagged).
A suit of studded leather and an Aldori dueling sword are among the adventuring gear gathered in an unceremonious pile next to the trunk. A set of keys hangs on a peg on one of the tent’s support poles. There is a bedroll covered in matted red fur, and next to it is a table with a note on it, held down by a stone paperweight. The table is surrounded by pigeon feathers, splintered avian bones, and the fragments of a cage. Finally, another pair of Aldori dueling swords hang crossed at the back of the tent.
Meanwhile Wadi, Graxzos, and Nei-lung loom over the remaining conscious bandit, who fell on his rear trying to backpedal at the end of the battle.
"I'll spill, I'll spill anything thatcha want! says he, obviously terrified by what happened to Aldona, who he deemed as essentially invincible at this point. "The rich boy came through looking for trouble, so we obliged him. Didn't know he was the Lebeda boy at first, but once we found out, Aldona reckoned we could get a big ransom for him. I, uh, I was being forced to be a bandit. I didn't want to hurt anyone."
You think that last part, about him not wanting to be a bandit or wanting to hurt anyone, is probably a load of malarkey.
The following items can be found piled next to the chest in the tent that Dante just entered, which you suspect contains Lander Lebeda:
potion of cure light wounds (labeled as such); studded leather, buckler, daggers (3), mwk Aldori dueling sword, noble’s outft, signet ring, sunrods (5), jewelry worth 100 gp, 74 gp
It is not difficult to surmise that this might be Lander’s own gear.
The following items can be found on the corpse of Aldona, Mistress of the Moon:
potions of cure light wounds (3), mwk chainmail, mwk longsword, mwk longbow with 23 arrows (including three arrows with pale green fletching that seem more well-made than the other twenty), darkwood and gold music box worth 600 gp, moonstone and ivory jewelry worth 250 gp, 9 gp
Each brigand has the following:
potion of cure light wounds, masterwork arrows (5), tanglefoot bags (2), thunderstone (2); leather armor, longbow with 20 arrows, longsword, sap, 48 gp
The man's face darkens.
"Well, you could just let me go. If'n you do, I could tell you lots of secrets."
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Dante sighs at all the wealth randomly strewn in the tent but puts 2 and 2 togetger with the keys and the chest and slowly begins to cycle through keys on the ring trying them in the locks.
Warning you though kid....im probably not what you imagined in a savior dante says dryly as he dry cracked skin slowly stains with the blood of his stigmata.
As Dante finds the correct key and opens the chest, he sees a young Brevish man, battered and bruised, tied up hand and feet and gagged. This can only be Lander Lebeda.
Graxzos is unsure of the local laws regarding brigandry.
The bandit seems to fear for his life.
"You might want to know that there's a guy in town that was working with Aldona. They exchanged messengers by carrier pidgeon. I don't know his name, but he has been supplying us with weapons. Please, just let me go and I'll head for Numeria, and never set foot here again."
As you look at the equipment the bandits were wearing, you notice all the weapons bear the same mark: an eagle clutching a pair of tongs.
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Wadi notes the prisoner has been released from his confinement, and feels an idea strike him. "OK, since we are not sure what the punishment is for banditry we will turn the decision over to the nearest nobleman here...which, I believe is Lander."
Leaning forward closer so the man sees his reddish tinged eyes he adds in a low voice, "Where was this man residing in town? I would recommend honesty here as I would imagine your judge must not be too pleased with you now."
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Dante using his machete to cut the binds and remove the gag from the Princeling.
Get yourself cleaned up young man. You are a lord and should look like one was you greet the others. Magdh bless you but you are fated to be a lord one day. You will be tasked in a moment with deciding tbe fate of your captors. Handle it like the Lord you will be. Dante finishes unbinding him and helps Lander to his feet.
You may call me Dante, Lord Lander. Yoir mother sent our crew. We are Pathfinders. The Paladin bends his head in respect.
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Wadi's eyes light up in recognition as he remembers where he had noticed the symbol. Turning to address the captive his voice gains a note of lethality, "Well, well, well...if you wish to be shown mercy here then I would suggest by telling what you know of Marek Bogdan. Why did he set up Lord Lander? For simply wealth...or was it something else...something deeper?"
Get yourself cleaned up young man. You are a lord and should look like one was you greet the others. Magdh bless you but you are fated to be a lord one day. You will be tasked in a moment with deciding tbe fate of your captors. Handle it like the Lord you will be. Dante finishes unbinding him and helps Lander to his feet.
You may call me Dante, Lord Lander. Your mother sent our crew. We are Pathfinders. The Paladin bends his head in respect.
Lander Lebeda stands up, frowning and rubbing his wrists where the bonds chafed him. He wears a bespoke “adventurer’s outfit” made of expensive materials, but because of his ill treatment by the bandits, it’s stained with mud and blood and is disheveled and frayed. One of his eyes is swollen shut, and his unruly hair is mussed.
"My mother sent you? Wonderful," Lander says, with a strong hint of sarcasm. He touches his face where the swelling has made it black and blue. "Do you have a mirror, sir? I do apologize that my appearance does not please you, but I haven't had much say in the matter. As for my responsibilities, I will gladly see to them. I'll see these bandits, and all the others in this realm, executed. You need not lecture me."
He looks about the tent, and spies his equipment.
"If you do not mind, I shall arm myself before we go out."
"Well, well, well...if you wish to be shown mercy here then I would suggest by telling what you know of Marek Bogdan. Why did he set up Lord Lander? For simply wealth...or was it something else...something deeper?"
The bandit looks confused.
"Yeah, Marek was his name. But I don't know that he had anything to do with the lordling coming this way. We didn't know he was coming."
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Dante produces a small steel mirror and the rest of his shaving kit that he uses to trim excess dead flesh from his face and hands them to the princeling.
Not a lecture. The rest of my party knows nothing of nobility and I can be discreet about the state you were just in. The society could use allies like you and I don't want you to suffer any indignity you dont have to. I just wanted to show you that you could use an ally like me.
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Nei-lung studies the man for a moment, contemplating his words. ”I can accept failure, man. Everyone fails at something. But I can’t accept not trying. And right now, I don’t believe you are trying very hard to save your skin.” He takes a rope from his pack and throws it at the bandit’s feet. ”I think we should tie him up, and leave him here. Let him fall to nature’s cycle now that the evil influence of the werewolf is gone from this place.” He turns and walks to the tent and enters. Seeing his companions at ease around the disheveled young man, he takes him for the wayward son they have been sent to find. He bows.
”Well met, Lord Lebeda. I see your adventuring days are paying well, so far.”
Lander uses a waterskin, the soap, and the mirror to clean himself up a little bit, though he is still battered and bruised.
"I'm sure my mother will be fine in her castle a little longer. I have bandits to hunt. Go back and tell her I won't return until I've slain every bandit in Lebeda lands," he says, glaring at each of you, one after another, as if he is trying to remember your faces. He clutches his ribs and grimaces slightly in pain as he moves.
He walks out of the tent, to take a look at the brigand.
"So, this is the only one left alive?"
Although kind words can win Lander’s cooperation, with a successful DC 20 Sense Motive check, a PC can sense that behind the young noble’s rambunctiousness is a strong desire to prove himself in the eyes of tested warriors. This opens up several additional options. A character can use Intimidate to improve Lander’s attitude so long as she does so by playing up her own battle-hardened toughness rather than threatening him. Once during the scenario, one of the PCs can challenge Lander
to a duel (or accept his boisterous challenges).
"Perhaps we should wait until morning before proceeding back into the woods.. A good meal and a good night's rest would be good for all of us. I for one am still hurt some, and would prefer to be fully prepared before we leave."
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Wadi groans inwardly as the nobleman responds in a tone less than appreciative for their efforts in freeing him. Still he felt the brash man could be persuaded to return with them.
"I know this has been a rough time for you MiLord," he addresses lander in a respectful tone, "yet I must point out to you the one who is behind the bandits is not lurking out in the woods. We have a good idea of who that is..."
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Dante smiles at the newly cleaned up prince. It is a bit of an off-putting smile, crooked and yellow but he puffs himself up a bit. Just the one yes. If you would like, the Society does offer its services to rulers in exchange for future considerations. You're clearly going to be one, would you like our help.
Dante fixes up the man's lapels and lays on hands to repair his wounds.
I look forward to seeing you work...and we think we know who is behind this ambush.
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"Yes, I could use some rest. And I'm famished," says Lander. "Tie up the bandit, we'll deal with him on our return to Silverhall. For now, he'll help us find his friends. I don't think we should jump to any conclusions about who might be 'behind these bandits,' as you say."
He turns to Dante, as his wounds begin to disappear and his face brightens a bit.
"Thank you, my friend, for your divine aid. I'll be right as rain after a little rest. I am impressed with your society so far. I'm sure had you been with me in the first place, we'd have taken the bandits in seconds."
Finally he looks over at Graxzos, and raises an eyebrow.
"Interesting. You'll have to tell me more of your tales when we get a chance."
He claps his hands and holds them together. "Right then! Where are your servants? We need dinner cooked as soon as possible."
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"Oh, no, Mi'lord. There are no servants. It is just us. Servants would only slow us down and prove to be a liability in the field. We must decide first what we are going to do. If we stay here, we must first clean the area of the blood and gore, else it attracts scavengers and vermin. Especially since the werewolf's evil aura no longer protects this area. If we choose to move on, there will be a hard hike until we locate a place suitable enough to make camp. We may not be able to stop until after nightfall." He starts gathering things up as he continues to speak.
"Then, after setting camp, we need to establish watch for the night. Each member takes their turn to keep watch in case nocturnal fiends decide to descend upon us in our sleep." He looks straight at Lander. "I, for one, have been killed once already." He visibly shudders at the memory. "I have no desire to meet another belligerent stone giant with a lucky streak." He turns back to his task. "I was only lucky myself that I had enough connections and gold to have my faction raise me after my travelling companions brought my body back."
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"Agreed. Attacks at night are commonplace events that adventurers have to deal with, even in settlements of all sizes. I need to take last watch, please."
Glorne will help Nei-lung clean up the area by helping to move the bodies at least 20' into the forest away from any game trails, then casting create water to wash away the blood and gore and prestigitation to dry the groud.
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Wadi busies himself with cleaning up the camp from the blood and gore, more to keep himself away from the insufferable 'Lord' than to help out, though he does help mend the Lord's clothing.
That should keep him quiet. What, did he think servants would tag along and wash his behind every time he bends to take a squat? And did he say Cooking dinner? The fool doesn't realize that attracts monsters and vermin from miles around! Hard tack is the adventurers best friend.
The group makes camp and takes watches as appropriate. Soon after eating Lander dozes off, sitting under a tree. The poor thing needs his rest.
The night passes uneventfully.
In the morning, as you sit eating more adventuring rations, Lander awakes, and stands.
"I have thought it over, and decided that I like you Pathfinders. I will return to Silverhall with you. The rest of the bandits, wherever they may be, can be dealt with later. Let's take this one back and give him the justice he deserves."
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Dante has an idea to buck up the lad's spirits.
Say, Lander how would you like to take lead on our hike today. It has sone extra rrsponsibilities but it would give you the feel for how one of these jaunts usually goes.
Dante will quietly do his best to play nice with the lad and subtly cover his miscues with patience and teaches him a thing or two about surviving in the woods.
He shows him the gandasa - a functional weapon whose roots are as a tool Have you ever used one of these prince? I find it is a great weapon, you should have seen what it did to the wolf earlier. I could teach you if youd like.
Finally, a character profcient with at least one melee martial weapon can elect to take Lander under her wing as a student. So long as she treats Lander with a modicum of respect during their travels, she can add her base attack bonus to her Diplomacy or Intimidate checks to influence him.
"I've never used that weapon. Is that something common in the Inner Sea? Quite exotic for Brevoy," says Lander to Dante.
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Its actually got its roots as a tool. I first encountered it by chance - or fate as I now believe - when I fell in with some Pathfinders from Jalmeray early in my career. The Kingdom of the Impossible has such weapons. You could go some day if you joined our society you know.
Dante hands over the weapon and allows Lander to practice with it.
Lander takes a great deal of interest in Dante's weapon, and his subsequent training with it. He is not particularly strong or quick, but he clearly has some basic martial weapon training, though nothing formal. You're not surprised he was taken down by the bandits.
He practices most of the day as you travel, with either the gandasa, or his own aldori dueling sword, and it is clear that he is willing to work hard to become better, even if he is not a natural born warrior.
Over the course of the day, Lander seems to develop a strong liking for Dante especially, as well as the group as a whole to a lesser extent.
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"The life of an adventurer is sometimes filled with peril. You seem to have a strong desire to continue this life. Of course, 'To know the road ahead, ask those coming back.' While not familiar with the sword you carry, I can tell it is a fine weapon. I prefer to hone my mind and body, making them a weapon you can never drop in time of need.
"It is also good to see the desire to do good in one so young. Too often are the powerful and rich more concerned with keeping their wealth, instead of using it to better their lands." He indicates the rest of the group. "I am sure I speak for my companions here, it is a pleasurable change to know at least some nobles share our desire for justice. Now it is only a matter of having such nobles speak up for our behalf."
The group travels for the day, and rests again by night. The next morning they set off once more, hoping to arrive by nightfall in Silverhall. The journey is easy, along the road, and the party is in good spirits, including Lander, whose bruised face and bruised ego both seem to be healing.
The road narrows here, leading over a well-worn stone bridge that crosses a stream. Trees dot the landscape to both sides of the bridge, and the rushing of water and the croaking of frogs give the scene an air of tranquility.
This bridge arches 5 feet over the stream, which is about 5 feet deep. The water flows fairly slowly, but small eddies making swimming somewhat difficult.
As the group reaches the bridge, two large, flightless birds begin to sprint toward them. They each are carried by two long, taloned legs, but it is their axe-shaped beaks that look the most ferocious.
The creatures surge forward, taking the group off guard, and one rips into Nei-lung while another goes for Dante. Both are injured, and sent sprawling off their feet as the creatures' razor-sharp beaks hook them.
Lander seems unsure what to do, but he draws his blade and takes a defensive stance.
Keen-witted and powerful avian predators, axe beaks compete with wolves and hunting cats for prey upon vast, open steppes and prairies. Although feared for their boldness and territorial natures, these giant birds prove eminently tamable, making useful guardians, hunters, and even steeds when kept well fed. Axe beaks are relatively social creatures, forming small groups in which both males and females hunt together. They nest in immense mounds made of sticks, branches, leaves, and whatever else they can scavenge (including the bones and equipment of previous meals), with each nest used by a large group of axe beaks. Females typically lay clutches of 1d4+1 eggs once per year, which the parents take turns keeping warm for 2 months before they hatch. Mature axe beaks stand 9 feet tall and weigh as much as 500 pounds. Their plumage varies widely, from gray to brown to black in temperate climes, but taking on exotic shades of gold, red, blue, and other vibrant hues in more tropical environs. Axe beaks have lifespans of up to 50 years.
An axe beak requires training before it will bear a rider. Taming an axe beak requires 6 weeks of work and a DC 25 Handle Animal check, after which it can be taught tricks as normal. Riding an axe beak requires an exotic saddle. Axe beak eggs are worth 1,000 gp apiece on the open market, while young are worth 1,500 gp each. A light load for an axe beak is up to 200 pounds; a medium load, 201-400 pounds; and a heavy load, 401-600 pounds.
Other types of large, predatory flightless birds exist such as the diatryma and terror bird but the axe beak is but the most commonly encountered and well known of this breed of predator. These particular specimens are indeed the larger variety, however, known as terror birds.
Sudden Charge (Ex)
When making a charge attack, an axe beak makes a single bite attack. If successful, it may also attempt to trip its opponent as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If the attempt fails, the axe beak cannot be tripped in return.
Round One Terror birds (charge attacks and trips on Nei-lung and Dante), Lander (full defense), Wadi (up), Glorne (up), Maanyatha (up), Dante (up), Nei-lung (up), Graxzos (up)