"Now Now, I'm certain that won't be necessary. Our new friend here is going to cooperate fully with us I'm sure. Isn't that right sir? After all, If you cooperate with us, there will be no need for,... unpleasantness." Marc says with a friendly smile.
;P
"Marc here is right. Anyway, your banditry days are over now, so why don't you tell us a bit about them? As you'll never see your old co-brigands again, you run no risks by talking."
The other bandit offers up much the same information, albeit with less whining.
Marc nods and smiles happily.
"There, see? That wasn't so bad now was it? I love it when everyone cooperates. Keeps things from becoming messy. Now you just sit tight, and we shall return shortly to discuss your future." Marc says pleasantly, then leads the others out of the room.
"Well, what do you guys think?" The dandy asks the group when they have moved out of earshot of the prisoners.
"Sounds like they are both telling the same tale. How shall we approach their 'leader'? From what we have gathered, It would seem that he is simply the thug who happens to be 'in with' the boss. Perhaps we should simply give him the same treatment? I fear that if we give him the impression that he has information we need, he may think he has worth and attempt to bargain for his freedom. Perhaps we should try the 'We have all the information we need, so tell me why we should let you live' approach?"
"I reckon yall are doin' great. We've an interestin choice to make regardin' what to do with'um. Though, honestly i didn't come out here to try to convince'em to change their ways..."
okay,....who wants to execute them?
(not spoken in front of the bandits).
"How about putting 'em in chains for now and send them back to civilisation with the next caravan going back home?"
Marc strokes his goatee thoughtfully.
"I must confess that I, too, did not consider the possibility of having taken bandits alive. I have no qualms about killing a man who is attempting to kill me,..." He absentmindedly rubs one of the scars where the bandits weapons had bitten, ",... BUT I am loathe to kill a man in cold blood. If there is another way." He adds almost as an afterthought.
"The problem with that Master Heimoth, is that I forsee no one who will likely be willing to take on the responsibility of prisoners in a regular caravan. Certainly none of the merchants I have had dealings with would do such a thing. Even if you paid them to transport them, they would most likely simply kill the villains and dump the bodies as soon as they were out of sight."
"Perhaps,... Hm. Well, we should finish with the last of our interrogations first, but perhaps,... I hesitate to simply release them. And certainly not until we have dealt with their main camp! But maybe, if we extract a promise of good behavior, and turn them loose with no weapons and instructions to make their way to civilization, and never to return on pain of death? I understand that these are hardly the most reliable of fellows,... Hm. Well, As I said, I hesitate to take a life in cold blood. If it can be avoided." He shrugs, wrinkling his nose in distaste.
lettem go then. Givem their stuff. let's see what they do.
"We can't let anyone go until we've hunted down the rest of the bandits. All it'll take is one of them changing their mind and going off to warn their buddies."
"Among my father's people, men captured in battle are put to work as thralls. I suppose we could do the same with these, for we may have need of porters or laborers as we explore these lands. We would also be able to ensure they got into no further mischief."
"This would be, as Heimoth points out, after we take care of the rest of their band. I have no doubt they would try to betray us if we brought them along & one of them might try to warn the others if we just let them go. For now, we can see if Oleg & Svetlana have someplace they wouldn't mind keeping these ruffians while we're away."
Thom's eyes drift to where the prisoners are being held, "I reckon if these are the fellas that've been preyin' on this village, they got two choices..." he holds up one finger, "they promise to work off their debt under the penalty of death..." a second finger joins the first, "... or they pay that debt off in blood today. It'd be nice to have proof that these men were the ones to actually steal food before, but lacking that, I'm not willin' to let them go and chance them turnin' on us or givin' warning to their friends." His eyes take on a haunted look, "And if we need to take their lives, then I'll do it. It's cold, but sometimes ya gotta do dirty deeds to clean the barn."
Oleg stands at a distance, listening to the conversation. "On the frontier, the penalty for banditry is death," he says bluntly.
"And these are the men who have stolen from you before, right?"
"They are." Oleg spits on the ground. "Did you find out if they have Svetlana's ring?"
"These two did not. We'll ask their leader next. If not, we'll ask [i]his[/i ] superior and so on..." Heimoth pauses. "I suppose it makes sense to put bandits down on the frontier, where there are no prisons or formal courts. Still, I... I'll help Thomdril out, if that's what it'll come to. It'll be quick and clean. Those drawn-out public gorefests they practice in Razmirian or Galt are an abomination to decent folks, no matter how preventive they may be."
Oleg stands at a distance, listening to the conversation. "On the frontier, the penalty for banditry is death," he says bluntly.
Responding to Oleg's comment, Hasren replies: "Hrm... I think that was mentioned in the charter, but I'm still not used to being responsible for enforcing the laws... And I don't like breaking my word! Though... I didn't make any specific promises..."
I'll do the job on them. You...you stay pure, Heimoth.
I think I'd.....it would be less stressful for me.
Quinn looks at Hasren in disbelief.
"Banditry is a way of life in the River Kingdoms. My family suffered greatly from men such as these when we emigrated from Galt. Since then I have learned much. We have two, no three, very real considerations here:
One: The charter makes us the law here. Two (and three): the Six River Freedoms, a charter of sorts for how people live in the the Kingdoms. For us, the first four don't matter. But the Freedoms scale from least to greatest, and the last two are "slavery is an abomination", and "you have what you hold".
Thralldom is right out here in the River Kingdoms. To reach this area is to be free. The fifth River Freedom makes sure of that. As for banditry, it is acceptable, sometimes even laudable, to take something by force. The key is that the victim be able to face his robber and do something about it. Oleg here obviously couldn't hold what was his. Unfortunately for these thugs, we could. Now they face the consequences."
Quinn shuffles his feet and looks around nervously, not used to giving such a long speech.
Marc gives a slightly nervous cough, and smiles.
"Yes, well. First we should question our last fellow about the bandit's and their camp, and Lady Svetlana's ring," He adds with a deferential nod to Oleg. "And then we can decide upon exactly how to proceed. Shall we?" He asks, gesturing towards the direction of the would-be bandit's leader.
aye...the ring....
Yeah...I'll ask him about this ring.
Happ looks blearily ar Aleph, the bruises from his fight with Thom livid on his face. "What ring?" he says stupidly.
"That was taken. From Svetlana."
"Oh." He thinks for a bit. "Dunno."
insight
to sense motive 10+ creature's level
"you don't know, do you. you don't care either, thou sloeeyed cudchewing bullock....aye, useless."
to the others, away from the prisoners;
"well, I guess we could get the other guy, the footsoldier, to show us where they encamp. If anyone's for a trip to the woods. What say we gird up our spirits, for the morrow, and have a looksee?"
"We should just have them give us directions, and verify by asking the other to see if they match. I don't want to drag one with us, and take a chance of them warning the other bandits before we're in a position to ambush them. We were planning on an ambush, right? I mean it has to go better than the last time,..."
"That plan works for me. Ask directions independently. if we get different answers, at least we know they're still lying to us."
Quinn looks at Hasren in disbelief.
"Banditry is a way of life in the River Kingdoms. My family suffered greatly from men such as these when we emigrated from Galt. Since then I have learned much. We have two, no three, very real considerations here:
One: The charter makes us the law here. Two (and three): the Six River Freedoms, a charter of sorts for how people live in the the Kingdoms. For us, the first four don't matter. But the Freedoms scale from least to greatest, and the last two are "slavery is an abomination", and "you have what you hold".
Thralldom is right out here in the River Kingdoms. To reach this area is to be free. The fifth River Freedom makes sure of that. As for banditry, it is acceptable, sometimes even laudable, to take something by force. The key is that the victim be able to face his robber and do something about it. Oleg here obviously couldn't hold what was his. Unfortunately for these thugs, we could. Now they face the consequences."
Quinn shuffles his feet and looks around nervously, not used to giving such a long speech.
Before going off to question Happ:
At Quinn's shuffling, Hasren replies "Be at ease Quinn. I thank you for the insight to the ways of the River Kingdoms. I have lived in Brevoy for a number of years & get along well enough with the folk, and yet still remain something of an outsider. I begin to see why. My family found freedom on the road, and guarded it as well as any other treasure that might be carried. We too lived by the credo 'you have what you hold' but with thralldom a likely outcome if one fails to defend their freedom. For all the similarities to the ways of my father's people, there are also different basic assumptions here. To the individual, they seem so obvious one would never think to bring them up. Also, when the lands are secure, the matter may never come up. Out here on the frontier? This difference in thought can make a difference. We may need allies if we are to bring law to these lands and I would do well to better understand the ways of the people here. Again, thank you for your insight."
"As I said, I am not used to enforcing the law. Since I agreed to the charter, I also accepted the responsibility to enforce the rule of law here in the Stolen Lands. I gave my word to do this, and so I will, whether I am used to it or not. My earlier musings were me thinking out loud, so as to give form & power to the changes I will have to make to honor this responsibility."
"Likewise, since I take issue with breaking my word, I needed to remind myself to be more careful in what word I give, always keeping in mind the responsibility I freely accepted."
"If need be, I will perform the execution as that is the penalty for unrepentant banditry. Though in recognition of their cooperation, if someone is more able to grant them a quick & clean death, then please do."
"Woof. This seriousness wearies me. I need a drink."
During the questioning of Happ, Hasren will use his resentment at being kept from a good stiff drink to help look menacing!
Quinn listens intently to Hasren's words, and nods curtly when he is done.
"Let's seek them out then. Let the keeper of this place see to those skullduggers.
We range out after their camp on the morrow. Who here is good at that sort of thing? I'm an utter mess in the wilds."
MArc gives a devastatingly gleeful grin.
"Alas friend Aleph, I myself am also far more at home in the city than the wilds! Fortunately among our companions are those who are less likely to end up a wild beast's dinner because they turned left at the wrong tree!" The dandy says cheerfully.
"I place myself entirely in your capable hands gentlemen! Lead on! Um,... after a good night's rest, of course!"
"I will scout from above." Quinn says quietly.
"I have some ability to navigate the wilderness, so I guess I'll take the lead on the ground if we should lose sight of Quinn. If we take the bandit's horses we can get to the camp before they suspect trouble."
Hasren says with a grin, "Especially if Quinn & I manage to avoid getting us lost."
"Here's a question that I think needs consideration. Do we go in as obvious representatives of Restov? Doing so might send a message to the other bandits should anyone escape. Is this something we want to do? It announces our presence & intentions. With each success it might convince some bandits to leave the area. However, that also runs the risk of convincing the bandits to organize against us."
"We could also attempt to disguise ourselves as the bandits that came to rob Oleg & Svetlana. Since I doubt our ability to sneak up on the bandit camp, I think it gives us the best chance of getting close to the camp before they know we're coming."
"What do you think?" Hasren asks the rest of the party.
"I like the disguise idea. Here's a plan... As I will have the hardest time looking like one of them, being on the short side and wearing heavy armour, I'll pose as a prisoner slung across the back of one of the horses. The rest of you wear cloaks and whatnot. Obviously we can't fool them for long, but this way we can ride into the camp, I'll slide off the horse and then we start breaking heads. We should ask the prisoners if they have a password, by the way."
"I have some ability to navigate the wilderness, so I guess I'll take the lead on the ground if we should lose sight of Quinn.
"I will stay in sight of you."
Before the evening is out, Thom gathers the group to make some hard decisions.
"Much as I feel like you fellas already know this, it still needs sayin' and some things need doin'." He pulls the charter from his pack. "We're out here for two reasons… we're to explore and we're to bring some law. Make it safe for honest folk to try to make a life out here." He indicates the captured men, "Now, I'm not wantin' to cold-heartedly kill all them men without giving no chance to redeem themselves, but we also have to be taken seriously."
He lets that sit for a second, a barely-contained anger burns in his eyes. Then he continues, "Here's what I think we should do, but I'm open to suggestions. The leader will die. Tomorrow morning. By the sword and with his fellows present. I don't want to make a spectacle. So I'm not interested in including the townsfolk, but the leaders of the town should be there." The tall youth fingers his long scar slowly without thought, "We make it clear that he is being punished for his unlawful deeds, by the authority of Restov, then we kill him. No questions asked. Then we give his followers a choice. They pay back their debt here in town, as convicted criminals, where they will live in chains, doing the work of the town and under the watchful eye of the town, or they follow their leader to the grave." Again, he takes a moment to let the others think on that.
"After they've worked off their debt, I'm fine with them staying on as reformed citizens or leaving town, but with a warning. If they are convicted of these actions again, they'll be put down for their unrepentant behavior."
"What are yer thoughts?"
Marc strokes his goatee at Thomdril's plain speech. He looks uncomfortable, but you can't tell if it about the subject matter, or Thomdril's lack of finesse in discussing it. Finally (after listening to others input) he offers softly, but firmly,...
"What we do here, now, shall set the foundation of all that follows. I consider myself to be morally upright enough to be able to judge a deed evil or good, malicious or simply misguided. And I have no difficulty with dispatching a villain in combat. But I would exercise caution in this. Being too heavy handed can cause as many problems as it solves. We want those who live here to be happy to see us approach, not fearful." The dandy muses. He seems to be remembering something, then grins disarmingly.
"Still. Unrepentant banditry would seem to be a fairly safe judgment to pass with. As for the followers,... I suggest that we temper your harsh judgment of the leader with mercy and clemency for the others. Instead of imprisoning them, while a commendable suggestion I do not believe that we have the resources to allocate to creating a work gang, why don't we set them free, with the proviso that they leave the area, never to return under pain of death for banditry? That way we demonstrate both our resolve to establish order, and our ability to be fair and compassionate. And I doubt we'll have any trouble with the followers sticking around to cause trouble. As I don't see them getting a warm reception from anyone in the area." Marc offers with a grin.
The youth's grey eyes fall upon Marc, "Why would these people fear us if we are acting to protect them? Honest folk have nothin' to fear from us. It's these thievin', murderous bastards who should be fearing."
Marc smiles at Thomdril and makes a calming/dismissive gesture with his fluttering hands.
"Oh I have no fear that any punishment we decide to dole out to these bandits will be perfectly acceptable, right now. I am merely cautioning against being too heavy -handed or unilateral in our decisions. After all, a man who steals from an apple cart to feed his family is not the same as a man who steals gems from a wealthy merchant. Both are thieves, but does the man who stole the apple to feed his family really deserve to have his hand cut off?"
Once again Marc seems to be remembering something, then snaps back to the present.
"I have seen good men given a little authority who became absolute petty tyrants. As a Sorcerer I command a not-inconsiderable amount of personal power. To be honest, I have not yet decided what kind of a man I want to be. But I long ago decided what kind of a man I do NOT want to be." The dandy smiles grimly, then yawns and covers his mouth with a handkerchief.
"Perhaps this discussion is best delayed until after we have dealt with the bandit camp itself? After all, a public execution is not going to endear us to the locals if they fear a retribution from this female bandit chief. Now there is a woman I would like to meet!" He grins, waggling his eyebrows.
Marc smiles at Thomdril and makes a calming/dismissive gesture with his fluttering hands.
"Oh I have no fear that any punishment we decide to dole out to these bandits will be perfectly acceptable, right now. I am merely cautioning against being too heavy -handed or unilateral in our decisions. After all, a man who steals from an apple cart to feed his family is not the same as a man who steals gems from a wealthy merchant. Both are thieves, but does the man who stole the apple to feed his family really deserve to have his hand cut off?"
Once again Marc seems to be remembering something, then snaps back to the present.
"I have seen good men given a little authority who became absolute petty tyrants. As a Sorcerer I command a not-inconsiderable amount of personal power. To be honest, I have not yet decided what kind of a man I want to be. But I long ago decided what kind of a man I do NOT want to be." The dandy smiles grimly, then yawns and covers his mouth with a handkerchief.
"Perhaps this discussion is best delayed until after we have dealt with the bandit camp itself? After all, a public execution is not going to endear us to the locals if they fear a retribution from this female bandit chief. Now there is a woman I would like to meet!" He grins, waggling his eyebrows.
As the party debate, a gaggle of villagers troop in. Some carry implements such as axes and scythes, and a couple bear ropes. Their faces look resolute and angry.
"Then we all agree that the Leader must be put down as an example?" Thom's face softens, and the unsure youth is back momentarily, "I don't fancy being unyielding, either. And I understand the need for perspective and grace." He shakes his head and his resolve returns, "but something I did learn growin' up. If a dog thinks he's in control, he can't be taught. If you show him you're not to be messed with, it's better for both the dog and the master. We have to make a statement here. We won't just sit by and watch good folk be preyed upon." Thom hitches his thumb over his shoulder towards where the leader is being kept, "That bandit took to leadin' other men in preyin' on these people. I won't let that stand. i agree that we shouldn't kill the others outright, and maybe you're right in that we should let them go. But if we let them go, we don' do it til after we've ridden out in the morning, and they go with the warning you set. No more banditry of any kind. Things are changing around here…" the youth's comments are cut off by the progression of villagers.
"What the hells?" Thom mutters a second before he marches to stand in the way of the villagers, planting himself resolutely in their path.
"Evenin' folks," he greets them with a nod of his head. "What's all this about?" He shoots the other guys a look that says, 'a little help?'
Aubrey the Malformed
Vattnisse
