"What if we wait until they are totally off guard? Toward evening when they're settling in to camp...if that's what they're doing?"
"I'm not sure that they will lower their guard more than it already is. Remember, our most recent captive said that the bandits would know something is wrong if his group did not return by sunset."
"I vote that we withdraw to the ambush site, and neutralize any bandits that come to investigate the disappearance of Happs Bydon and his men. I'd like to 'thin their herd' as much as possible before tackling their home ground."
"Very well Harther, your instincts have been good to this point, no reason to dispute them now. Besides, having all of our group at their best is preferrable."
"Well, nothing says we'll be at our best. They may very well come tonight, but at least we'll be well positioned to best utilize our remaining strength."
The Chartered Six sets a careful ambush, posts guards, and vigilantly watches the path, ready to put the group of ne'er-do-wells to the sword.
However, the night passes uneventfully, save for a group of half a dozen elk who blunder through the camp before they are easily chased off.
Save the ones who took double watches, the remainder of the party awakens early, feeling refreshed. Either the brigands moved towards Oleg's via a different route, or elected to wait longer for the rest of the band's return. Either way, they surely know something is afoot.
"Harther, what now? Do we continue to the camp, or do we return to Oleg's?"
At news of their potential failure, Tyr groans and lays down.
Harther considers Karthas' question carefully.
"The night has passed, and now the bandits will suspect that something has befallen Happs and his band. They may send a group out this morning to investigate - and pass through here shortly - or they may consolidate their forces back at their camp."
"Our spellcasters have rested and restored their spells, so I feel more confident about our chances should we choose to attack now. It's up to the group to decide, but I think we should attack. Although we should advance upon their camp as stealthily as possible."
"I agree with Harther, we should attack."
"This time I will try to be little quieter." Karthas admits, somewhat embarassed.
Perception:
Stealth:
Tyr rolls onto his side and slowly rises,
"Wait, before we do go charging in. Wouldn't it be a little better to actually back off and then swing around and come at them from a flank? It may take us a little more time, but we shouldn't be walking straight back into their camp. Kicking in a front door with a brace behind it is not a good idea." Try rubs at his face.
"While skirting around may take time, where they may see us coming, they'll be re-positioning as well as us." He starts checking out his gear, "Just saying, is all."
"True, they will probably be watching for someone to approach by Bydon's path. Coming at them from a direction that they are not expecting is a good idea. So instead of coming at them from the north, shall we approach from the west (upstream) or the east (downstream)?"
"True, they will probably be watching for someone to approach by Bydon's path. Coming at them from a direction that they are not expecting is a good idea. So instead of coming at them from the north, shall we approach from the west (upstream) or the east (downstream)?"[/ooc]
Tyr laughs quietly, "I'm all for down stream. Then, if my clumsy @rse should fall in the river, I can at least still float at the bad guys." =) He jokes.
"I happily defer to the more tactical minds in our group but am ready to do whatever you wish." Rani takes a little extra time to prepare her equipment this morning, devoting a additional care during prayers of maintenance.
We are rested and at our best now. We've come a fair distance only to turn back to Oleg's. I say we attack. Either approaching with Stealth or flanking them sounds like a viable option.
"An issue, pushed to the back of my mind by the immediacy of our situation, should be discussed. How do we know these are bandits? Well, of course they are, but we have been tasked with bringing law to these lands and can hardly do that by attacking every encampment we come across...no matter what we *suspect* them of being.
I suggested earlier that we catch them off guard. Now I realize that I must ask that we reconsider. Should we not ask them to declare their intentions before we act? It is certainly not to our advantage tactically, but what if we were to attack a simple hunting party. I feel we must be sure that they are, in fact, criminals before we strike."
"An issue, pushed to the back of my mind by the immediacy of our situation, should be discussed. How do we know these are bandits? Well, of course they are, but we have been tasked with bringing law to these lands and can hardly do that by attacking every encampment we come across...no matter what we *suspect* them of being.
I suggested earlier that we catch them off guard. Now I realize that I must ask that we reconsider. Should we not ask them to declare their intentions before we act? It is certainly not to our advantage tactically, but what if we were to attack a simple hunting party. I feel we must be sure that they are, in fact, criminals before we strike."
I understand your concerns Rani, but I must hasten to point out that one of their 'band' told us where we could find them; a man who was clearly a bandit himself. It seems highly unlikely he would make a lucky guess at where a peaceful encampment would be located; and even less likely that such a place could survive in these hostile lands anyway.
I would be happy to scout ahead and ascertain for certain that they are bandits if it puts your mind at ease Rani? Although the evidence is extremely strong even before seeing them
Tyr smiles at Rani and Berenkor,
"Just because we're not charging and screaming in right up that track now doesn't mean we have to go running and charging, screaming when we move around to their flank." He sighs again, rubbing at his face as if to wipe away some feelings or other.
"The problem of standing and declaring our intentions is recieving a nasty x-bow bolt or arrow to the head for our trouble if they are bandits. Plus the fact that we're following a bandit trail back to where we were told there were bandits. So, on the face of it, everything we've seen and been told already kind of points to, well, these being," Tyr shrugs, "Bandits." He looks to Harthor for the motion to begin moving off. Almost as another thought he blinks and adds to Rani,
"Besides, we're not going in shooting with arrows, so should they not be bandits, we can simply choose to not thump them." He smiles.
Besides, we're not going in shooting with arrows...
"Oh. *I* was going to shoot them with arrows..."
"I know that you are both correct and that these are most likely the bandits we are looking for, but a quick look to make sure would seem prudent. I'm like an elk in the underbrush today but maybe someone else..."
Besides, we're not going in shooting with arrows..."Oh. *I* was going to shoot them with arrows..."
"I know that you are both correct and that these are most likely the bandits we are looking for, but a quick look to make sure would seem prudent. I'm like an elk in the underbrush today but maybe someone else..."
Nodding grimly, Berenkor says Very well. If you hear the sound of a roaring beast, know that I have been spotted and prepare yourselves; for I will be leading them to you if the worst should happen. Harther, perhaps you could follow me at a distance of 50 feet or so and cover me with your bow?
Berenkor moves towards the sounds of rushing water and to where Harther indicated the encampment is located, taking his time to weave through the undergrowth and stay out of sight.
"Some of you have potions, correct? If you are badly wounded I will get to you if I can but remember you only need to get close to me, say from here to that large elm, for me to channel Erastil's strength into you."
"I will scout with you, my small friend," Harther says to Berenkor. "Although I recommend that we all come at them from a different direction than this path of theirs that we've been following. Perhaps we should cut through the forest to the west for a bit, and then come at them from that direction."
Stealth:
Perception: (add another +2 vs. Humans)
Very well Harther; please lead the way in whichever direction you feel is appropriate .
Like ghosts, Harther and Berenkor disappear into the undergrowth :D
Tyr simply 'forms up' with Karthas. The pair walking off, chain armor jingling, great swords across their broad shoulders, in the direction that the party ha s chosen as their new 'path of attack'.
Tyr simply 'forms up' with Karthas. The pair walking off, chain armor jingling, great swords across their broad shoulders, in the direction that the party ha s chosen as their new 'path of attack'.
For Berenkor and Harther:
Across the river you see a smallish clearing, about thirty-five feet east to west and forty-five feet north to south. In the center of the clearing is a fire pit surrounded by sitting logs in which burns a hot fire. Around the fire are four wooden barricades in each corner, each L-shaped and five feet to a side, with the corners of each pointing in every secondary direction – southeast, southwest, northwest,and northeast. Along the eastern edge of the clearing sits three large wooden crates stacked in a row.
She snorts and barks a reply.
“Ye bloody fool! All they made of wit' was some cheap trinkets and copper coins. I think they may have gotten that red-headed tart's wedding ring, but it didn't look ta be worth much. Shut yer gob, and we'll go after the mites when I says we go after them!”
"One of the bandits near the crates is talking about some fey creatures - mites, I believe? - that have stolen items from this group of bandits twice now. Sounds like the mites stole Svetlana's wedding ring the last time they raided this camp. It also sounds like Kestra - the woman near the crates - might know where these mites are located."