You started to question whether you were going in the right direction a while back. Since there is no river nearby, it's located far into the wilderness and the land is infested with bandits, it seems like an unlikely location for a trading post. But then, just around a bend in the round, Oleg's Trading Post comes into view, an old fort that has been recently rebuilt.
The trading post is surrounded by a 10 foot high wooden palisade and has watchtowers in each corners armed with derelict old catapults. The gates stand open and you can easily discern the stable and the main building among the buildings in the courtyard.
As you enter the main building you are warmly greeted by a blonde middle-aged woman who offers you a hot hearty stew, warm bread and even a glass of wine. "Welcome to our humble abode", she says with a smile."We do not get much visitors usually. May I inquire what is your business here?"
Though he was pretty good at finding his way around, Mim was starting to doubt his own map reading skills until he turned the bend and saw the trading post in view. With a confident smile, the dwarf says, Yah see Pip, Oakenleg blood means ya get ta where ya need ta be going." The young brown bear that traveled with him gave a quizzical look to the strange dwarf as they approached the post.
Coming within view of the entrance, Mim made sure to pick a few of the twigs and leaves that always seemed to get into his beard from it before reaching the entrance. "Ho there young lass! The name's Mim, Mim Oakenlegs. I come from Rundin, just a ways north o' here. Yah wouldn't happen ta have room fer a back water dwarf and his friendly bear cub now..." Taking a look around, the dwarf continues with, "...now where did that darn cub go?"
The dwarf that seemed to be looking around the entrance to the trading post was a peculiar one indeed. While he had the size and shape of a dwarf, he was decked out in hardened hide armor as opposed to the traditional metal that most dwarves wear. Entwined in his hair and beard were twigs and feathers and a sickle hung from a strap on his belt. Hanging around his neck was a leather thong that held a sprig of holly and mistletoe. The only item on the dwarf that was decidedly dwarf-like was a heavy miner's pick of dwarven make that was strapped to the pack across his back.
Nerandeth had been riding in the carriage for sometime now, with no sign of anyone else on the road. Marcus, his driver, assured him that this was the correct road, but the Half-Elf was beginning to doubt. At about the time he was going to verify, the post came into view. Finally, the Sorcerer thought to himself.
Marcus, a young well built man with a longsword at his side, pulled the carriage in front of the stables and got off to tie the horses. Nerandeth openned the door and stepped out. He was dressed with a red, long-sleeved shirt, a black vest over it, black pants and boots, all looking brand new and pristine. His long, red hair was drawn back into a ponytail, and his goatee was trimmed and well groomed. Reaching back into the vehicle, the Half-Elf pulled out a well-worn longbow and strapped it across his back along with a quiver of arrows.
Stepping back from the carriage, a middle-aged man stepped out and asked, "What do you wish milord?"
"Help Marcus with the horses while I attend to securing rooms for the night. Then you and he get some food before unloading." The Half-Elf replied. He reached into one of his pouches, pulled out some gold and gave it to the middle-aged man, "That should be enough. If it isn't, Jarvis, let me know."
With that Nerandeth walked over to the woman and the Dwarf with the bear cub. "Pardon me ma'am, do you have any rooms available for my companions and I?"
A human male walks through the open gate with the rough patches of a beard revealing his young age. His short brown hair is revealed as he lowers his dark green hood. A light crossbow is strapped to his back, and two thin rods of steel are strapped to his sides. Seeing the carriage and attendants, he steers clear of them, careful to avoid startling the horses. Noting an elf entering the main building, he follows.
He squints his eyes as he passes through the door and pauses to scan his surroundings. Not noting anything particularly out of place, he moves forward and joins the group. He opens his mouth for introductions, but stops as he sees the dwarf and his bear A lop-sided grin appears on the man's face, "Well, well, Master Mim Oakenlegs. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance again." Looking down at the bear, the man nods solemnly, "Greetings, young one, I hope Mim is keeping you well-fed!"
He glances at the elf, then deciding something, turns toward him and bows respectfully, "Worryn Ocera, recently out of Restov."
Looking back at the woman, "Ma'am, I am here for several reasons, primary of which is to explore this part of the Stolen Lands and report back to the Swordlords of Restov. This being the last vestige of civilization I expect to see for a while, I thought it best to stop and inquire about any problems around these parts, or if you have any news of the nearby region you might be willing to share."
Seeing the carriage pull up, Mim's face sours a bit as the half elf goes about settling in, nonetheless, he continues to look around for Pip, though he made sure to glance back to the middle aged woman.
Upon hearing Worryn's vaguely familiar voice however, Mim turns and says, "Well, I'll be! If it isn't tha wee lad that came through Rundin during tha crop shortage a few years ago. Yer hunting made a few villagers happy that season." Hearing Worryn's explaination for he was doing out here, Mim nods his bearded head with a grin. "Sorry about this lass, but I seem ta have misplaced me friend. Truth be told though, I came ta tha Greenbelt on charter from tha Swordlords fer tha same reason as tha young Worryn here. Though it looks like ya be having a lot o' guests here, ya think ya might have room fer one more?"
The woman, who is dressed in a simple rustic dress, smiles again. "Of course we have room for you. You can stable your horses and leave the carriage in the yard. There is room in the guesthouse for you all. My husband will be around shortly. He is up fixing a leak in the roof. Were you sent from Restov, you say? We are happy that you are finally here. Praise the Lady that you arrived before those horrible men came back.
A quizzical look crossed Nerandeth's face, "Pardon me ma'am, perhaps I misheard you, what horrible men?"
Worryn immediately tenses up as she mentions the horrible men. Listening as the elf asks his question, Worryn chimes in, "And you said came back. Please, can you explain what's going on here? I did not receive any information about this matter before I left Restov, so this is a complete surprise."
He looks over at Mim, "Did you know anything about this?"
The woman looks a bit disappointed. "Oh." With a dejected look she continues. "We've been having trouble with some bandits. They were very rude to us and took all our stock. We wrote to Restov for help and we thought that it was you. Oh well."
At that moment the husband enters. He is a blond, brawny middle-aged man, a bit flustered and sweaty from exertion. He smiles and greets you introducing himself as Oleg Leveton, but after a quick explanation from his wife that you are not here about the bandits, he throws his arms up in despair and goes for a drink of water.
"You must excuse my husband" Svetlana tries to smooth over the awkwardness. "We are growing desperate here. Would you please help us?
The Half-Elf could not, in good conscience, leave these people to suffer under banditry. His father taught him better than that, and he was trying honor his name as best he could. "I would gladly assist." He said with a bow.
Worryn narrows his eyes and his jaw clenches so hard, he has to force himself to relax.
"It would be a pleasure. What can you tell us about them? How many, how are they armed, do you remember any of their names? Also, do you have any idea where they sleep - or which direction they came from when they visited you last time?"
Svetlana brightens up at your offer, and even Oleg looks somewhat less displeased.
"I do not know how many they are, or where their camp is. There were a dozen of them the first time, and they threatened to burn us down if we didn't give them all our furs and trade goods. Their leaders were a cloaked man with a bow and a woman who was carrying two small hatchets. The woman did most of the talking and she had a black humor. The way she smiled when she told of what would become of me if we did not comply... it was horrible. She all but chopped of Oleg's hand, and then she tore off my wedding ring and said it was payment for not "shortening Oleg's reach"."
Oleg, who is listening intently by the water barrel, gives you a grim nod. He doesn't look at all pleased.
"That was three months ago. The next time there was only the man. They come within an hour of sunrise on the first day of the month. He brought only six men that time, and the last time only four. Perhaps they have let their guard down and you will be able to surprise them. They are due back tomorrow and we hope that the woman is not with them."
Looking slightly irked, Mim rubs his beard as he says, "Not right ta be taking what you honest folk earned. I'm in too. Before we do anything ta help though, we are gonna need me friend. I'll be back." Walking back to the open gate of the trading post, he shouts, "Hey Pip, get yerself over here!" Then, standing at the entrance for a minute, he shrugs and turns to head back. On the way back, he is unaware of the young brown bear that tackles him from behind, slamming him to the ground. Grunting in surprise, Mim shouts, "Get off me ya furball! Now's not tha time ta be playing around!"
Well that is certainly unusual, the Half-Elf thought looking at the Dwarf and his pet.
Worryn nods as he listens, then waits for Mim to rejoin the group. "Thank you, Svetlana. It seems we are agreed, now the only question is how to welcome these muck-dwelling vermin back on the morrow."
"Based on the fact that we don't know how many will arrive tomorrow, planning an ambush is probably our best chance at victory. I suggest we plan to spring the ambush once they are all inside the gate. We don't want any to escape to lead the rest of the group back here, so we'll have to take them all down."
Worryn looks to the elf, "Friend, I do not know you, but I would be grateful to learn your name if we are to be fighting beside one another. Are you willing to participate in the fighting, and if so, would you prefer to use your longbow, or do something different?"
Looking at the dwarf, "Our charters say to deal with banditry as we find it, and you and I both know the punishment for that crime: execution." He looks around at the elf, then back to Mim, then over at Svetlana, and Oleg. "If we have captives, and they are identified as men who took the stock from this Trading Post, I would see them killed for their crimes. Does anybody disagree?"
"I am Nerandeth Ildelaren of House Medvyed, and yes, I will participate." At that moment, the young man that drove the carriage came up to the Half-Elf.
"Sir, I would be honored to fight beside you." he said, putting his right fist over his left shoulder and bowing his head.
Placing a hand on the young man's shoulder, the Sorcerer replied, "No Marcus, I need you and Jarvis to stay with Oleg and his wife. If any of the bandit get passed us, I need to know that they are safe." The young man turned and went back to his duties.
Turning back to the other two, Nerandeth continued, "I can provide assistance with this bow, along with other talents. As for the bandits themselves, if they are responsible for the previous extortions, I have no issue dispatching them. However if they are not, we may be able to 'convince' them to assist us for a stay of execution."
"Very well" says Oleg. "You can hide in the stables and the guesthouse, and when the bandits come to collect you can spring your ambush. You can take the bear into the guesthouse so he doesn't spook the horses, and we'll have to hide the carriage somewhere. Svetlana, I want you out of the way. You will stay in the back with these men. I will receive the bandits as they come but I am not a warrior, so you will have to deal with them yourselves. We'll put you up for the night for free if you'll have the kindness to help us.
Finally pushing the strong bear off of him, Mim gets to his feet and dusts himself off. "Thank ya fer allowing the bear ta stay here, I got a pack horse that I tethered just outside to, let me get her inside." Fetching the horse and guiding here to the stable, Mim comes back and says, "That sounds smart Worryn. I say anyone with a bow should find a high spot ta fire from. Me and Pip will be down here, Pip'll stay out of sight and I'll act like some hired help ta make sure someone is close so Oleg can get out when they throw down."
Looking around, Nerandeth spied the tower left of the gate, "I guess that is a good a place as any. Mr. Leveton, what is the best and fasted way up there?"
Worryn looks at the tower Nerandeth indicates, before scanning the rest of the Trading Post.
Pointing at the guest house, Worryn says, "I'll hide there. Take a shot or two with my crossbow, then I'll drop it and get in close."
"Couple other thoughts if you don't mind. First, we should have Oleg give a signal. That will let him start to get clear of the fighting. The other is that we should try to take out the leaders first if possible. This woman, and the man with the bow, should be our primary targets if they show up."
"Anything else? Other ideas, different tactics?"
Oleg looks a little uncomfortable at Mim's suggestion. "I think it better if you stay out of sight. They know that there are just the two of us here, so they might get suspicious if they see a hired hand. You could hide in the storage room with your bear and attack them as they enter. Of course, that would mean that you have no place to retreat, so I hesitate to ask you.
He bows to Nerandeth"As to you, sir, there is a ladder right over there, and I think you will be able to fire at them from the palissade.
I will meet the bandits to allay their suspicions and then withdraw. Hopefully they won't be coming in force, so you should be able to take them out.
"Bah, more like I'll be hard pressed to get them all afore they run away. With Worryn and the noble there assisting, I am sure there shouldn't be any problem." With that, Mim sets about checking his gear.
"I thank you sir." the Half-Elf replied to Oleg, "When the fight starts, I recommend you go back to your wife. My men will do their best to protect you if one or more slip by."
At daybreak you sneak out to your positions, and about an hour after that you are rewarded when a rowdy gang of four bandits led by a foul-mouthed man ride into the yard.
"Hello Oleg, time for our collection", their leader shouts. "Or I'd take that wife of yours as down payment. She's still got some mileage in her, don't you think, old chum?" He laughs loudly and so does one of the other bandits.
Oleg gnashes his teeth and mutters something inaudible as the bandits dismount, still taunting him until one of them goes to open the storage door and is met by a whirling cloud of teeth and claws. Oleg slams the door and bars it, and you are alone with the bandits.
You can all act in the surprise round and then roll for initiative.
"Surprise!" Mim shouts, pick in hand as Pip lets out a roar, swiping at the bandit with its claws. Pip steps around the bear, leveling his pick at the bandits body.
Popping up on top of the wall, Nerandeth aims and fires at the bandit holding the horses.
However, his hasty aim causes him to miss, rather badly.
Worryn leans out from his hiding spot and aims his crossbow at the leader.
The bandit leader yelps in pain as the crossbow hits him in the back, and the bandit opening the door writhes in pain and fear.
You are all up again.
Taking careful aim, the Sorcerer fired another arrow at the same bandit.
Worryn reloads and fires another bolt at the leader.
"Let's get 'em! Mim shouts as Pip attempts to maim the bandit and Mim swings his dwarven pick.
Pip mauls the poor bandit and he slumps to the ground. Nerandeth wounds another bandit with his arrow, while Worryn's second bolt whizzes by the bandit leader.
Finally the bandits retaliate. The bandit leader whips out his bow while screaming obscenities at you: "I'll have your hides, you treacherous sons of a goblin whore! You'll make a fine carpeting for my tent."He shoots an arrow at Pip, who is saved by the door-post that grants him cover.
The bandit standing by the horses runs for the ladder and starts climbing up after Nerandeth. The last bandit moves to engage Worryn and stabs him with his shortsword for 3 points of damage.
Your turn.
Nerandeth, seeing the bandit start up the ladder, reached forth his hand and said, "Liekunst Liunmymyunchi."
A dart of green energy shot from his fingers and struck the bandit.
Worryn takes a 5-ft step away from the bandit, reloads his crossbow, and shoots his attacker.
Incanting in the strange whispers of the Druidic language, Mim touches Pip, transferring nature's magic into the bear before he says, "Let's go get him Pip!" With that, Pip moves around the entry and into the open, heading towards the bow wielding boss with Mim following as close behind as his short legs could.
The bandit on the ladder shrieks in pain and fear as Nerandeth's magic strikes true. Realizing that he can't fight magic, he drops to the ground and runs for cover at the gates.
The bandit leader sends another arrow after Pip, hitting him for 9 points of damage. The bandit facing Worryn presses the attack, and manages to stab him in the chest for 8 points of damage.
You are up again.
Worryn falls to the ground.
Not certain if he could hit the bandit leader with an arrow, the Half-Elf Sorcerer unleashed another bolt of energy.
Angered by the arrow in his flank, Pip charges the bandit leader and bites him for 5 points of damage, bringing him down. Mim delays.
The last bandit realizes that the game is up and tries to escape by running around the building, while the wounded bandit makes himself scarce.
You are up. You can try to catch the fleeing bandit or let him run.
The fleeing bandit is hit by Nerandeth's missile, but keeps running until he disappears into the woods.
Now you have two unconscious bandits and Worryn to worry about. Oleg and Svetlana emerge together with Marcus and Jarvis after you have given the all-clear.
"Dag! We shoulda got someone ta close the gate." Mim mumbled to himself as he took in the situation, deciding it best to get everyone back on their feet instead of going after the escaped bandit. He moves over to Pip, calming the bear down and saying, "Ye did good there Pippers. We gotta save da human though." Then, moving to Worryn, Pip whispers in some unknown language as natural, warm magic surrounded his hands. Placing them on Worryn's injured body, the magical energy transferrs into the human, working to seal the man's wounds.