Anibeth steps closer to the nearby bandit and slashes with her glaive.
After Olo acts the ranger stands, pulling his dagger. Taking aim, he throws the weapon at Happs. After the throw he falls prone again on the wall.
Dex +4 and BAB +1 = +5, +2 favored Enemy, +1 Bless +1 Point Blank Shot
Note, if Olo does not move back Den is at -4 for firing into melee
Damage is 1d4 + 2 favored enemy, +1 Point blank, and +1 strength.
Athenasius moves into range of Happs and throws his hand out, releasing a wave of scintillating colors.
!
0th: Message, Dancing Lights, Acid Splash, Drench
1st: Identify
Expanded:
1st: Grease, Color Spray
Happs covers his eyes in time to avoid the effects of Athenasius' spell.
Damrak reloads his crossbow and fires again, but his nerves get the better of him and he misses!
Round 3: Happs
Happs moves 5' to the east and strikes at Grim again, cutting him across the shoulder! "Give up, dwarf! Let me go or I'll kill you!"
As Olo sees the priestess strike the bandit before him, an arrow whizzes by and lodges itself into the poor bastard's chest and he falls to the ground with a thud. Alright Den! He's okay then... now for the boss man.
Still grasping his shortbow tight in his left hand, Olo steps forward and the fingers of his right hand begin to wriggle and writhe. The nonsense words begin pouring from his mouth again as he gathers arcane energy. His finger's dance toward Happ's weapon as he unleashes another spell.
Grimath winces as the blade cuts into him but is better prepared this time. As Happs finishes his swing Grimath follows with his axe from the side, aiming for his midsection.
Happs' horse stands and gallops west, only to trigger the trap!
Round 4: Bandit
The lone bandit, his foot still caught in the bear trap, yells out, "Happs, you still out there?" When he hears a response of "yes", he continues the fight, as he notches another arrow and shoots Athenasius. The arrow buries itself in the mage's back!
Fear grips Happs' face, as he sees how the dwarf maneuvered him into the swing! Grim's axe rips Happs' midsection, spilling his guts on the ground, as the bandit's screams end just as quickly as they started, his body collapsing to the ground, quite dead!
Aniebth continues to move towards Den seeing that he still needs help. Calling upon Shelyn's grace again she seeks to heal him.
Athenasius is quite impressed with Grimath's daring gambit against Happs: "A splendid display of warcraft, Grimath! Worthy of a champion of the Forge-Fire... Urk!" His words were cut short as excruciating pain exploded from his back, followed by a fit of hacking and coughing. Damn! Punctured lung... Forcing air into his lungs through labored breaths, Athenasius reloads his crossbow, whips around, and points it towards the last remaining bandit. "Listen... fool! Happs is... DEAD! GIVE UP!"
Den picks up his bow and stands.
The bandit, having pieced in his head that the scream belonged to Happs and given that his leg is caught in the bear trap, quickly drops his bow at seeing the death stare in Athenasius' eyes and falls to the ground in tears. "Just kill me already."
The ranger surveys the battle scene. He stands with a arrow still protruding from his ribs; a small trickle of blood seeping from around the shaft's entry point. Moving slowly, favoring the wound, he will begin to retrieve and lower the ladder so that he can climb down.
"Good with a blade..." he says, reaching down to touch his wounds and grimacing from the pain. "but not good enough. Ye haven't a chance when yer not on the side of justice." Grimath looks down at Happs body and spits on the ground beside him.
"Good riddance," he adds before turning around and walking slowly to join the others.
Ugh. I'm gonna feel that one in the morning... At least Angradd's will is done, and it seems we have made it through alright. This bunch is a fine lot to have traveled here with, no doubt about it.
After a moment he calls up to where Den and Anibeth are. "Ye two ok up there? D'ye need help? What about ye Athen?" Shouting over at the house he calls for Lana and Oleg to make sure they're both alright as well.
Oleg and Lana come out of their homes, a bit nervous and scared. Relief washes over their faces when they see the party is alive and well. When they look over the massacre of the bandits, they both whisper "By the gods!" Lana nervously asks the party, "Won't there be repercussions for this when Happs and his men don't report to their camp? Have we made things worse?" Oleg hugs his wife reassuringly, though you see the same questions on his face.
"Keh... Kof! I'm wounded but alive." Athenasius lets out a shiver as he takes account of the carnage.
By the Gods, I hope the path to peace for the Greenbelt won't be paved with dead bodies.
The thought filled him with a profound sense of dread. As a scholar and practitioner of law, Athenasius has always relied on reason and mediation to resolve disputes and conflicts. His experience during the last two days, however, has left him feeling naked and powerless before the raw, unbridled savagery of the Greenbelt.
What can man do against such reckless hate? Can we really make civilization out of this land before it makes savages out of us?
Lana's words brings him back to the task at hand: "I don't know how the bandits will react to today's events Svetlana, but I know who does." He then instructs the surviving bandit to disarm and take a seat on the bench by the fire pit. Calling Peer to his side, Athenasius demands: "You will provide us with everything you know. We are the hands of Swordlords' Justice. Cooperate and we may show you leniency."
As Athenasius begins to talk to the prisoner, Grimath walks up behind and lays a hand on his shoulder.
"Angradd tends t'the wounds of the righteous," he says, bowing his head and speaking in a reverential tone.
"Angradd help me t'show this man the injustice of his actions." he says quietly as he runs his fingers across his holy symbol.
Turning to the bandit he joins in the discussion. " Know that ye have wronged Oleg and Lana here, and that we mean t'see justice. Ye might wish t'start speakin' with wizard. Ye'll not find us unreasonable if ye will give aid, and such aid shall be weighed heavily when we sentence ye."
Athenasius lets out a sigh of relief as the warmth of Angradd's fire fills him, healing his wound and renewing his spirit.
"Thank you Grimath, that was a most timely blessing."
"Let's get you patched up, no doubt we'll need your keen eyes and imposing presence to help with these prisoners." Holding her holy symbol and praying over Den.
Olo, attempting to catch his breath, wipes the sweat from his brow and fan himself with his hat. He can feel the pangs of his injuries, but none too sharply thanks to Anibeth's blessing.
Phew... haven't seen action like that for a while now. It was a good warm-up for the group. We did good... if we're to bring the fight to them, we'll have to do better. But... we did good. He slings his short bow back over his shoulder and puts his hat back on his head as he strolls over to where Athenasius is questioning the thug.
"My hairy friend here speaks the truth. Help us out; you'll be right glad you did. Won't you tell us what we need to know?" He says with a smile.
The bandit (Darrin), who has surrendered, respectfully asks that you free his leg from the bear trap, since he is in much pain. Assuming you free him, he tells you the following:
*Their bandit camp is located near the Thorn River just inside the treeline about 30 miles southwest of Oleg’s Trading Post.
*There are 9 bandits left as well as their leader, a sadistic woman named Kressle, who is known for fighting with 2 handaxes.
*The Thorn Ford camp is relatively large, and well defended by numerous hidden platforms placed in the trees. The camp itself is about 60 feet from the Thorn’s north bank — a path winds alongside a shallow creek that leads directly up to the campsite.
*He reports to Kressle and has never met any of the other leaders
Den removes the arrow with the application of the healing spell from Aibeth. My thanks to you and your goddess. He says. With his wound partially healed he begins to gather all the weapons and valuables from the bandits, making a pile of them in a the wagon.
Athenasius takes copious notes as the bandit divulges what he knows, interjecting periodically to clarify important points and test the truth of the information. He sighs as the interrogation draws to a close and puts the finishing touches on the last of the picturesque Draconic that lines the pages. Setting his Record aside, he takes a seat across the table from Darin and studies the man briefly before speaking.
"Thank you for the information Darrin. It will prove valuable in our future endeavors here in the Greenbelt." Giving the bandit an approving nod, he continues: "Your willingness to divulge accurate information and the fact that you have yet to cuss at me shows that you are a reasonable man with a clear mind. Will you tell me your story? What made you take up banditry? If you could do things over again and walk a different path, what would it be?"
Retrieving the Swordlords' charter from an inside pocket and laying it in front of Darrin, Athenasius leans in slightly and speaks with emphasis: "The Greenbelt is a savage place where very few people are lucky enough to get second chances. You are one of the few, and your chance is now." Gently resting a hand on the parchment, he continues: "The punishment for unrepentant banditry is death. If you desire to change your ways, now is the time to make your case - to Oleg and Svetlana whom you have terrorized; to my companions whom you have brought harm; and to me... whom you shot in the back."
Grimath listens as the bandit gives out what information he knows.
We did well enough here, but we'd likely not fare as well raiding their camp. Still knowing where your enemies are is important, even if it's not possible to strike at them yet.
He takes some time to wipe his battleaxe clean while Athenasius queries him further. Watching the bandit, he tries to get a feel for his sincerity.
After a while he thinks of something. "Lad, are they expecting Happs to check in? How soon was he expected?"
You find the following valuables on Happs and his men:
Happs: alchemist’s fire (2), studded leather armor,dagger, Longsword, masterwork composite longbow (+2 Str) with 19 arrows, 2 days of trail rations, silver Stag Lord amulet worth 20 gp, 50 gp
Bandit: leather armor, longbow with 20 arrows, short sword, 2 days of trail rations, 10 gp
To Athenasius, Darrin says, "My father was an alcoholic and he beat me and my mother. I ran away and lived on the street, stealing. Then, when I got older, Happs and his men gave me an easier way of life, where I could carry real gold in me pockets instead of scrounging on scraps, like the other beggars. He taught me to fight, shoot a bow, and to prey on those weaker than us. That's nature, he said."
To Grim: "We's expected in 3 days' time." He sounds despondent, like he's given up on life.
When Den is searching Happs and the bandits, Oleg moves up to him and in soft shy voice asks, "Hey, friend. Did you happen to find a woman's silver wedding ring? That bastard Happs took it off of my Lana the first day they came to collect their taxes. If you find it in your travels, I would love if you could return it to me. Lana says she don't mind but I know she does. She's given up a lot to be with me to make our lives out here in the frontier. If I could return the ring to her, it would mean a lot....well, let me know, okay?"
Dendarial nods to Oleg. Of course friend Oleg. I shall keep an eye out for that ring. If it is found it shall be you who returns it to Lana. he says quietly.
Olo takes in the Darrin's story and signals the rest of the group aside.
"I won't stop anyone from executing this man. But, shall we consider his story? Not everyone is drawn to crime by a desire to do wrong. Not all the men we encounter will be evil. Is everyone we meet a dead man? You've all been polite enough to keep your noses out of my past. For now, I'll just say my story is not far off from his. Perhaps well meet others who can find a way to make themselves useful. Perhaps now is not the time, but at one point or another it may be wise for us to start taking prisoners. And lets not leave out the information he's provided."
He draws a circle with the tip of his toe in the dirt at his feet. He pulls down the brim of his hat tightly over his head. "That being said, I stand firmly with the decision of the rest of the group."
Den steps forward to address the group, his tunic soaked with is own blood and his wound still quite evident. I say if he lives, he ives as a bonded servant to Oleg until he pays off the debt of thief of property from him. And that requires Oleg's consent. I'll not ask Oleg to be our jailor, and we cannot take prisoners with us as we work to explore these lands. At any rate I'll not see this man walk away from here before the bandit camp is dealt with. And we are not strong enough to do that yet. We need more experience within these lands, and better gear before we face a threat twice what we faced here and on their terrain.
Damrak speaks, "I think that is a good idea and compromise, Den. I was thinking that our actions may have subjected Oleg and his wife to reprisals from the bandits and I would never forgive myself if something happened to them, while we were out exploring. I'll stay and guard them and watch over the prisoner as well, if that is what we decide. Besides, Lana makes the best coffee."
"A sound idea Damrak. Let us act on it." Athenasius looks over at Oleg and Svetlana: "Baring any objections from our gracious hosts of course."
Grimath joins the group off to the side to decide Darrin's fate. Listening to the words of Olo an Den, he nods in agreement.
"I think ye have the right of it Olo. Justice was meant t'serve th'people, and must sometimes be tempered with mercy. I also think Den's got the solution. If the lad wants t'live, he should serve here under Oleg, watched by Damrak, 'til he's repayed his debt."
Oleg snorts, "As long as I don't have to watch 'im, I won't mind the free labor."
Oleg, Lana, we need to plan what we will do next. Do you have any advise or desires for our exploring? the ranger asks knowing that these two have been here for a long time and know the area better than he.
Noting the groups' consensus on Darrin's fate, Athenasius turns to the former bandit: "This is your chance to right the wrongs you have wrought and start down a new path. Seize it and work hard."
After helping to dispose of the bodies and recovering the bears traps, Athenasius retrieves the map of the Greenbelt from the wagon and lays it out on the table: "I propose that we start our survey with the lands surrounding this trade post, going in a zig-zag pattern from east to west and gradually expanding our survey radius. This way we are never too far away from Oleg's should any emergencies arise or when we need to resupply."
Finally feeling the fatigue from the fading adrenaline, Athenasius throws his hat onto the table and slumps into a seat. Running a hand through his tangled hair: "We must also consider what Kressle might do when Happs fail to return in 3 days. She may pay Oleg a visit personally to see what happened." He pauses and looks at each of his companions. "I don't feel comfortable conducting our survey with this threat looming over our base of operations."
"Mayhaps we might want t'do a short search 'tween here and the woods and come back on th'third day. It'd be good t'be round in case this Kressle sends more thugs." Grimath suggests, sharing the concern about possible reprisals.
"Are we sure we don't want to take the fight to them? We loose the element of surprise if they get suspicious and come here looking for a fight. I agree, a party this large is nothing to sneeze at. Perhaps we should scout them out, see what advantage we might take over them? We don't know anything about these woods yet... but we know where they're at. Perhaps we can even draw some of them out, quell their numbers."
The ranger gathers up all the mounts and sees to them, removing saddles and tack and stabling them.
There are six horses, one for each bandit, which you can store in the stables. After the clean-up and the burial of the dead bodies, Oleg heads into his storeroom and then gathers the party in his home. "Thank you for all you have done. Lana and I finally feel that justice is being done in these lands. I can only offer you these meager rewards as well as these arcane potions, which should help you on your journeys. You are free to stay at our guesthouse, no charge. Lana and I will provide you meals as well free of charge. Thank you!" Lana smiles as well.
Oleg offers you 50 gp, a potion of shield of faith +2, and two potions of cure light wounds.
Oleg smiles as he sees your perplexed looks. "You're probably wondering where I got these potions from? This old coot Bokken sold 'em to me. He stops by the Post once in awhile, when he gets tired of his hermit life. He's a potion maker and he's no hater of gold. I thought it would be a good idea to purchase them in case Lana or I ever got hurt. I think we no longer have to worry about that. So what are your plans?"
Den looks on at the offer of gifts. I can say we will put them to good use Oleg. Having them will help us tame these lands. I thank you for your generosity. As to our plans, I would say that we begin to explore the area around this post. I know that the bandits will be missed in three days, but that cannot be helped. It is my assessment that we are not ready to face them at their camp. I would rather face a fraction of their force away from their stronghold. He looks to the others for their thoughts.
"Yah Oleg, thanks a million! Hopefully well get to meet this Bokken fella sometime soon. He shack up somewhere near here?"
He turns to Den "I hear yah mate, I will second your plan, as long as we are sure to make it back to the post with enough time to prepare for another ambush. I reckon they'll come ready for a fight if they suspect thier buddies are in trouble. And we best be careful not to wear ourselves out completley when we're out there. "