Domitian smiles at Rosasaria's response. "You misunderstand me, Rose. A well-placed arrow or a sure strike with a sword is still honest and direct. If they wish to repay what they have taken from this family, repair any damages done, apologize, and submit themselves for arrest, I'd be willing to spare their lives - in my experience, bandits are rarely willing to do so." Frowning, he says "though I usually prefer to allow retreat, I don't think such an option works in this case. We can't have them preying on travelers or returning to these folks once we are gone."
Listens, and tries to puzzle out what they all meant. No matter how much she tried, sometimes she simply did not understand non-elves. She speaks up at this point " However, do we know this is every one of them? If we do not kill the head, the body will survive. If we are sure we are killing them all, we do that. I however would suggest either we set a trap, or we allow one to live. We could even let one live, and pretend to travel further on. They will either follow us, for revenge, or come here, where we are staying, and we have advantage. Tell me, do you know who normally comes and collects from you? Is it all or some?" That question would answer a good many ideas, and narrow down what should be done, at least in her mind.
Vetra would sit back and finish the food that was giving to her. She'd listen in on the conversation at this point. If anyone would give her a glance the golden kobold would simply shrug her shoulders. "Whatever we do, let's decide it quick yeah? Either way we need to deal with them. If we capture one, interrogate them on where the rest are, then we can deal with them all and be done with this banditry issue." She'd look at them for a moment before slowly standing, turning her head to Oleg. "I'm going to take a walk around the fort. You don't mind do you?"
If Oleg was fine with this, she'd take a casual stroll along the fort, looking for anything that might be of use to the group in tackling the bandits.
Lyra finished her food and pushed away from her. Clearing her throat with another drink of water she continued to listen to the conversation for several minutes before rolling up the charter and speaking. "Master Oleg, how do the bandits present themselves when they come? Do they come in force or send a single man to collect the dues?"
Oleg nodded at Vetra before turning back to the rest of the group. "No, there is no talking this group down. Their leader is a foul mouthed woman who seems to delight in bloodshed but I haven't seen her in several months. Each time they arrive there is less and less of them and last time there was only four of them. They always arrive an hour before dawn on the first day of the month which is in five days and take everything they can carry. If I show any sign of resistance or disrespect, they respond with violence." he said, rubbing at the side of his chest. "There is one of them who seems to be the personal pet of the woman but she is by far the most dangerous."
Svetlana's face hardened at Oleg's motions and she looked at the group with something like fire in her eyes. "These men and women are unrepentant murderers who trade in violence and bloodshed because they are too lazy to learn a real trade. Let the gods sort them out." she said through gritted teeth.
Moira points at Mehaila as she picks up her point. "A trap I can do. We can set up a honeypot. Gather the things they would steal anyway and put them in a pile in the middle of the fort. Pretend like you've given up. They move in to pick through it and we trap them. Me and Domitian can close the doors. Svetlana and Oleg can find some cover. Plenty of places to hide. We can give them a chance to surrender or just pounce. Not like they don't deserve it." She looks over at Oleg, a little sheepish. "Assuming your okay with this?"
Nods, seeing the wisdom in Moira's idea. It was simple, and at times that was the best route. However, the question in the back of her mind comes forward, and she presents it to the group. " How do we know they are not watching us, and will wait until we are gone? WE must cover our presence somehow."
Domitian nods along with Moira's plan. "A good plan" he says with a smile. To Mehaila, he also nods in agreement. "A fair concern - I doubt they are watching now, but if they come in to collect and see a crowd they might delay. I'm sure we could find some way of hiding easily enough before they come. Hiding us is easy enough, as long as we stay indoors; that just leaves the wagon and horses, yeah?"
Rose nods quietly as the conversation proceeds forward. "Hopefully we can do something about the wagon and horses before we are unfortunately discovered early. Anything else we should do preparation-wise? I would love to help with anything I can." She smiles, a wicked grin playing on her face for mere moments as she looks around the table to the others. "I might be able to pull a trick or two to help catch a couple off guard or provide a suitable distraction come the time we may need such." She adds as she fidgets with her many pouches and pockets on her attire.
"There are stables for the horses and space behind it for the wagon." Svetlana says, cutting off whatever Oleg starts to say. She keeps him silent with a stern glare while holding his hand tightly in both of hers. "There is a hidden compartment under our house that Oleg and I can hide in. And I swear if you do free us from them, you are more then welcome to stay here free of charge for us long as you need. And whatever we have right now that will aid you in your fight is free of charge. Right now the only thing that might be useful is some potions but feel free to look it over."
"I can fight!" Oleg bursts out suddenly. He stands up and slams his hand down on the table. "Time and time again they threaten you and when I dare to protect the most precious person in the world to me, they did this!"
He holds up his right hand and everyone can seem clearly that he is missing his right pinky below the first joint. What is left is wrapped in a tight bandage.
"No." Lyra says in response to Oleg. She pushes the bowl away from her and looks around at the group. "We stable the horses and hide the wagon. Mylee will fly high and keep an eye out for us so they will never be able to surprise us. If they are as complacent as we've been told then it will be simple for us to surprise them. Close the gate and then hit them from all directions and it should be simple. Your services will not be necessary Mr. Oleg as we have no accommodations planned as of yet. Frankly put you will be in our way. Your valor and courage are not in question good sir as it is clear to all of us that you have both qualities in abundance. Stay in the cellar and let the real idiots challenge the so called rulers of the Stone Lands." she finished with a smile.
Rose kind of winced when Lyra stamped Oleg's passions down. She gave a sympathetic smile and a pat on the back. "It's for the best dear, we wouldn't want either of you to come to harm if we needed to cut loose so to speak and deal with the bandits to the fullest of our capabilities." She gave a soft sigh, and then placed a couple fingers on her chin, thoughtful. "Though if they are as cowardly and craven as you say, then all of our efforts might be a bit overkill." She looked around at the others, judging their reactions.
Domitian looks kindly at the man and nods. "Erastil smiles to see your desire to protect your family, sir. Even so, true wisdom is knowing what you don't know. We are trained warriors, prepared to fight in your defense. It is important to understand your own strengths and weaknesses. Besides, your wife might need your protection, in case one of the bandits finds the hidden compartment. You are not hiding - you are merely taking the job of protecting your wife, while we take the job of ambushing the bandits."
Moira's look soured further when Oleg showed the missing nub on his pinky. It wasn't a lot to loose but it said these bandits were willing to maim to send a message. Who knew what that would escalate to after the first offense. "Better to overkill then underestimate," Moira says to Rosasaria. "Doesn't sound like they are sending everyone so we can't let anyone escape to warn the rest. We deal with this group and track down the rest. Drive the lot of them out."
Smiles sweetly to Oleg, and winks to his wife before saying " You poor dear man. You wouldnt want to lose such a lovely wife if something happened to you, especially wounded as you are. I mean, I could use company at night, but someone should watch your dear while we fight the bandits. Would be sad if one of them slipped past us and got her while you were distracted fighting else were no?" Was clearly trying to appeal to some baser desires of the man, since she knew the surest way to most men's ego would be to use sex and pride. Hopefully it would work.
Being disappointed there was nothing of use around the fort, Vetra returned with a slight scowl on her face. She had returned early enough to hear Lyra’s plan of closing the gates and thus trapping the bandits. Glancing to the human named Oleg she shook her head and then went to inspect the gates of the fort, keeping an ear open to the conversation at hand. The small gold kobold decided it might be best to let the biggun’s make the plan.
Content the kobold would return as everyone was convincing the human to hide in a basement. The thought of it made her smirk but when it came to smirking on a kobolds features, there wasn’t much to tell. Coming up to stand by Moira, she’d look up to the tall human before looking back to Oleg. She kept her mouth shut this time. There were enough voices and she felt that her’s was not needed right now.
Oleg looked around as the group kindly but firmly shut down his idea. It was obvious that his anger and desire for justice were justified, but sometimes justice could be a little too blind. He takes a deep breath before nodding and stepping around the table to gather the bowls and utensils. He glanced over at Mehaila as the alluring elf flirted with him but her words hit only stern silence as he paused for a single second to raise his left hand up to clearly show her the gold wedding ring. Svetlana on the other hand was covering her mouth to hide a laugh that she managed to smother into a wide grin. "Thank you for that my dear but my dear Oleg is far too stubborn to be twisted by anyone but me, even as beautiful as you are."
Oleg glanced over at his wife and his brow furrowed for a moment before the first hint of a grin creased one corner of his mouth. It was clear to the group that the air of tension had finally broke and both humans were on board with whatever their plans would be. Over the next ten minutes Svetlana would lead the party in a short tour around the fort to show them the full layout. It was a square fort and bailey with fifteen high foot walls with 20 feet tall watchtowers at each corner. On each tower was a jumble of wood and metal that could be identified with a DC 10 K. Engineering as broken catapults. While they would take weeks to repair it was possible.
The discussion about the ambush the next day wound deep into the evening with solid suggestions coming from both Svetlana and Oleg. Despite their humble appearance in the rustic settings both were of sound mind and sharp logic. When discussion of closing the gate came up Oleg was able to produce three step ladders made of rope and wood that could be thrown over the wall the instance the gate was closed. Anyone outside would be able to scamper up and into the battle in seconds.
The four guard towers would also prove to be excellent sniper towers as they provided a clear line of fire into every corner of the compound. Locked doors on each of the buildings would deny the bandits any sort of cover and prevent the fight from spilling into the buildings. Every building was also doused heavily in water drawn up from the well, the wood beams and walls soaking in the liquid like a plant in the deep desert. This came as a result of Rosasaria revealing her method of combat was explosives that could catch several enemies all at once.
The next day the party was roused from sleep by an alert Oleg while Svetlana made a breakfast of herbs and spices that she assured them would provide plenty of energy without weighing them down.
Rose savored the meal after rousing and doing a once-over of all her equipment. She was chewing thoughtfully, mulling over where in the fort she should set herself up best for the ambush. She finally settled that one of the two guard towers nearest the front gate would probably be the best choice. It would allow her to switch up between using her bow or moving just close enough so that she could pitch her explosive easily into a group of bandits if she needed to. Though once she made her presence known, it would only take a few well placed shots to make her regret her decision. As a result, she could take up position, but she would have to hold her attacks until the most opportune moments presented themselves for her strikes.
She finished eating and turned to Lyra. "You think I should hide on the one of the front walls and then move into a tower? Or vice-versa?" She placed a finger to her lips thoughtfully, humming some as she fidgeted with her empty bowl using her fork.
Domitian sits with the others, enjoying the morning meal, and trying to figure out their plan. "So, we need someone to draw them into the fort, right? Who is going to do that, with Svetlana and Oleg in the hidden compartment? We also need people outside to close the gates after they are in. How many people does it take to close the gate?" He pauses to take another bite, then continues. "I can fight just as well near or far, so I could work just as well from a tower or from the ground. I'd probably prefer on the ground somewhere, though, so I could do either as the need called for it."
Vetra ate the delicious meal that was provided by Svetlana. She made sure to savor it for the time she had. Once she was done, she gave her thanks to the cook before moving to make sure she was equipped and prepared. She'd choose the razored tail attachment from the numerous she had secured to a hip look. Grabbing her tail she'd fashion it on and give it a good test swing, pivoting her body like a released spring. Satisfied that the weapon was attached she'd flex her claws, ensuring they were sharp. Grinning then she'd then look near the gate, giving Domitian words some thought.
"I can help close, but not good climbing. I think Oleg will need to be out to lure them in. When fight starts, he runs back inside. Simple. We spring trap, enemies run like silly humans they are." She pauses looking about the outpost. "Ill be up above gate. Can drop down and block escape if necessary while doors shut."
She'd waste no time and move to the position of her choosing, unslinging her bow and notching an arrow once she's in position. She'd press herself against the palisade, making her form as small as possibly, which was quite impressive as she hugged the palisade and the catwalk. It'd be pretty difficult to spot the kobold if you weren't looking for one.
Moira digs into breakfast with typical gusto. She pauses after a few bits to look at the food, surprised by the flavor. Either Svetlana could do a lot with a little or they had more spices than she expected an outpost to have. Either way, it was good and she slowed down a bit to savor it. She looked over the others at the table, their gear, apparent proficiencies, demeanor, and then the small fort, the watchtowers, the gate the buildings. "Nah. We need Oleg at least to play the bait. And by that I mean leave and see to his wife when the fighting starts," she says as a pointed reminder of their agreement yesterday. "An empty outpost with a wagon load of goods is suspicious. With him there it looks like an offering. I'm thinking Lyra and Rosa up high. Play up the drow blood a little. And one of you can lower the rope ladder. Vetra and Mehaila low. They'll probably underestimate you guys so give em hell for the mistake. Domitian low too and he'll cover Oleg's retreat."
After delicately finishing her meal, she nods in agreement with Moira. She was dressed in battle leather, accented with yellow and blacks, with slots for her daggers across her body. It was fitted and showing enough skin in places one would almost wonder what it was truly for. However, she places a hand on a small short bow and states " Remember, I will need to be somewhat central to all, in case healing is needed. However, I can fight with a bow from a distance to start with, so that would hopefully draw any stranglers in." She would then say a prayer to Calistria to guide them in this path of virtuous revenge.
"Sounds like a good plan" Domitian says, nodding along with Moira's description. At the appropriate time, he'll take up position behind one of the buildings, bow in hand.
"I shall take my own position then and keep an ear out for signs of trouble." She smirked and made her way into one of the Guard towers rope ladders, made sure her bow and quarterstaff were secured tightly, and slowly ascended to the top. Upon reaching the top, she quietly made her way to the southwest corner of the tower and laid down to do her best and remain out of sight until the sounds of combat had begun.
Lyra would finish her breakfast while discussing the final preparations for the ambush. She had sent Mylee up into the sky at first light and warned the group that time would come when the bird screamed. She had awakened early to meditate in the first rays of sunlight of the day, absorbing the warmth to power her druidic spells. Once she felt the magic take hold she had studied her spellbook for another hour, preparing combat spells. Once that was done she had warned the party of how she was going to begin the attack. "Do nothing until you hear the commotion. If there few of them my spell should disable several of them for enough time for us to bind them. Kill those who resist."
Placing Shirak on the roof of the stable Lyra secreted herself inside the the stable, leaving the door open only a crack so she could see the bandits to target her spells. Once Meera calls out Lyra will cast spells on her clothing and club, enhancing the power of both. She will use her link with her familiar to recall the creature and have the hawk rest on the top of the wall.
As the group scrambles to get into place at the hawks warning Moira stumbles and slams face first into the door she was trying to hide behind.
Four men enter the fort a moment later, laughing at some joke made earlier and not even caring to look around. They are all dressed in mismatched armor and their horses were shaggy and unkempt. Their leader was a dour faced human with tired brown eyes and black hair who moved past the barn and stopped his horse just short of the pile of furs that Oleg and Svetlana had prepared earlier. Oleg stood at the door of his house with his arms crossed, glaring at the leader. The two men stared each other down for several seconds before the bandit motioned for his men to dismount and begin loading the merchandise on a fifth horse they had brought.
Lyra looked through the open sliver of doorway and began to whisper an incantation, her fingers weaving invisible threads of magic. When the magic was ready she cast it out with a flick, sending it to envelope the four men.
Two of the bandits slump in their saddles and begin to breathe heavily. The leader looks at them in confusion before getting angry. "If you hadn't stayed up so late drinking I wouldn't have to waste my time with idiots!"
The other bandit begins to snicker at his compatriots apparent idiocy.
Vetra would quickly stow away her arrows and bow as the plans changed, hurriedly getting ready before she went completely still as the bandits entered the camp. Swallowing her spit she'd wait until they were in the middle of the encampment and when two of them slumped in their saddles from Lyra's spell.
She'd quietly spring into action as she moved towards the doors, letting herself drop from the rampart by lowering herself with her arms to land softly while the bandit leader yelled. She'd then attempt to close the first door by grabbing it and began closing it slowly, trying to ensure they don't notice her trapping them in.
Rose listened carefully, and when she was satisfied that the bandits were thoroughly distracted, she quietly got up and moved slowly. She almost swore when she realized there was a building blocking her line of sight from the center. She saw vetra moving out of the corner of her eye and did likewise to come and help her. She carefully lowered herself down and helped vetra close the other door as quickly and quietly as she could.
The bandit leader begins to get angry as his two men continue to snore peacefully in their saddles. No matter how loud his rant became they remained blissfully unaware of their leader's wrath. Moments later his eyes grow wide in astonishment as he sees Vetra and Rose closing the gate. He spins around and points at Oleg in speechless wrath. "You...you...you..."
Domitian tenses when the leader starts yelling about the two falling asleep, and grips his bow a little tighter. It galled him, to hear the man carrying on, as if he wasn't here to steal a family's hard earned wealth, to hurt any who resist. What foul creatures such men are...
As soon as the doors shut, or the bandits notice anything amiss, Domitian will step out from the side of the building, and take aim at the bandit leader.
Then he will concentrate for just a second, calling upon Erastil to tell him if the leader is as evil as he seems.
Receiving his answer, Domitian looses an arrow toward the leader with a slight exhale. May Erastil judge you fairly...
Instead of firing, Domitian will call out to the man. "You are surrounded, outnumbered, and trapped. Lay down your weapons and surrender!"
Moira sucks on her busted lip for a bit and spits a wad of blood on the ground for effect as she steps into the bandits line of sight, an arrow knocked and aimed. She doesn't say anything but the predatory look is enough.
Stays hidden for now, as if they would lay down arms she would not have to harm anyone. She did however ready an arrow on her bow, ready to step and shoot past Moira if this was not resolved in a peaceful manner, aiming at the one she could hit, or closest to her if she could hit all.
As soon as Domitian speaks Olegs jump back into his house and slams the door shut. There was a thud as a bar slammed down and prevented entry. The leader spits a string of curses as he yanks his bow around and struggles to fit an arrow to the string. The remaining bandit spins his horse and also attempts to fit arrow to string, his panicked eyes locked on Vetra and Rose.
Lyra gripped her wooden cudgel firmly and moved out of the barn. She called out "Shirak, strike!"
The young cat snarled as it came over the edge of the stable roof, it's muscles bunching as it prepared to launch an attack on the bandit leader.
Rose locked eyes with the panicked thug and she smirked. When her turn came to pass she would simply withdraw from her person a vial of strange murky liquid. She tore the cork out, spitting it, as she quaffed the strange elixir. Already it would begin to work on her system though, as her skin took on a more ashen complexion and her exposed skin appeared much like tree bark. Her limbs and frame would appear more slender as she stretched and became more slender, her eyes flashing as her transformation neared it's completion.
Vetra cursed as she was seen. She'd forgo readying her bow, as her muscles tensed and a snarl leaving her throat along with her eyes dilating as she locked her eyes on the nearest enemy, preparing to charge.
Domitian frowns as the bandits ready their weapons. "Not a smart move, gentlemen."
As Domitian's eyes take in the evil stench of the leader, they widen just a little, then narrow dangerously. "Foul excuse for a human, you will cause no more harm." He mutters a quick prayer, then lets an arrow fly.
Shirak let out a furious roar as she leapt off the roof and straight at the leader.
Lyra steps out of the barn and hits the Leader from the other side, swinging her enchanted club at his side.
Vetra would growl and her claws would glow just ever slightly as she channeled her magical energy into them. She'd suddenly lurch forward at a run and then spring into a jump, flipping over the bandit to land behind him on his horse. She'd suddenly rend into him with her claws with a loud snarl.
Vetra flipped gracefully over the bandit facing the gate and produced an explosion of blood as her claws flashed quickly on either side of of his neck. He gasped for a second as his blood continued to spurt out before toppling slowly from the saddle and landing on the ground limply. The horse danced nervously from the sudden actions around it and made Vetra's footing unstable.
The bandit leader managed to jerk his head to the side and avoid the big cat's strike. Lyra's blow went wide as Domitian's arrow struck true. The leader grunted and bent over the arrow for a second before looking up and smiling at the paladin with a manic grin. "You think that's all it will take holy one? You think I haven't dreamed of this moment? You think I haven't dreamed of drinking the blood from the gushing neck of a holy knight? You can't stop me!" he bellowed. His eyes burned with an unholy light as flames erupted from the air around him and he raised the bow to shoot at Domitian.
The arrows goes wide and buries itself in the wall behind you Domitian. Flames lick up and don't snuff out.
Shirak swipes at the leader at his sudden action before jumping back in alarm.
Lyra swings her club at the same time as Shirak's swipe and aims for the bow to foil the leader's shot.
Vetra is able to maintain her footing on the horse. Looking at the Bandit leader, she was surprised by the sudden development, knowing better she quickly pulled her bow out and notched an arrow, loosing it at the bandit leader.