Thaleles is able to determine the potions to be some strange mixture of troll's blood and alcohol.
It appears likely that the bandits that may have survived this battle will either leave the region or flee to the Stag Lord himself. Unfortunately Thagis and Thigis do not know where he is, although they seem more than happy to throw their lot in with you. As they move the bodies for looting and disposal it becomes clear they have no love lost for their former compatriots.
The decision comes to either resume exploration or report this battle to the Trading Post.
If we return to camp, that will give the Stag Lord more time to prepare. Most of this is junk anyway. I think it would be better to try and track down the Stag Lord. Just my two copper...
Tulsino cleans his blade and his armor before mounting his horse.
"We can not tarry. If we do, they will be fully prepared for us and we will have a much tougher situation to deal with."
"Indeed. We might as well close the noose around their necks so as to make sure they don't survive to come back and stab us in the back," Garr'ak would say while trying to clean some of the gore from Geoffrey's fur. "We still need to finish claiming their camp as well."
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Thats great folks, we can hunt down the Stag Lord amongst MILES of land, East, West, and South of here. Not to mention his possable small ARMY of bandits that we may have to contend with. Our mission is simple here gentalmen, Investigate the Stolen Lands. With limited resources at our dispossal I suggest we head back to the outpost and send word to the King. If he truely desires this land, I'm sure he will send aid. In the mean time, let us continue with our mission.
With a growl, Garr'ak speaks up, "Perhaps you need your memory refreshed. The document we all signed says the following, 'The carrier of
this charter should also strive against banditry and other unlawful
behavior to be encountered. The punishment for unrepentant banditry
remains, as always, execution by sword or rope.' So before you complain about having to get your hands dirty, perhaps you should remember our mission correctly. Not to mention that we are here now with their base of operations in front of us. We should at least clear it out before heading back."
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Clearing out the base is no issue. For all we know we killed them all. But this "Stag Lord" as he calls himself is already well set up in this region as this was only an outpost of sorts. He probably has many more men, and better fortifications. I came out here for the King to help him establish a new city, no go on a suicide mission to end all evil.
Now that is not to say I'm completely against taking on the bandits, but we should do so cautiously, and with much more resources. If that is to much to ask, then I will just return to the outpost myself.
Thagis chips in, "We don't know where the Stag Lord is based but we do know there are some mites and Kobolds fighting over territory southeast of here. Both of them are annoying little gits but they might know where a big group of bandits might be, plus if you smash one of em you could probably recruit a small army out of the other group. Oh! Plus at the very least you could unload your gear on them since there at war."
"We have our orders. If you wish to go back and look for reinforcements that will likely not be here for some time, then so be it. Either way, we should finish searching their camp up ahead and decide how to deal with this issue of war within the area. If Thagis is correct, then perhaps we can glean some information from them and even some allies to help us remove the bandits from this area."
Thank you Thagis. That sounds like a good place to go looking. A Kobold army could be useful.
Tulsino smiles.
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I shall give us three days. If we have not located the Stag Lord by then, then we should continue with our mission to explore this region. If you choose to continue the search, I shall have no choice but to leave so that we may send word of our progress. I will await at Oleg's for five days after that. If I have received no word from you after that, I will have no choice but to assume the worst and report a new Exploration Party will be needed. Fair enough?
Thagis and Thigis begin sorting and organizing the loot Thaleles has collected, setting aside the equipment that would most easily fit smaller creatures.
"Garr'ak was given our contract, with that in mind, he seems to be the one whom should give orders. If he says we follow the bandits, I am with him, with all due respect."
"I appreciate the vote of confidence. As I said, we should at least finish searching their camp before anything. Otherwise, it does not hurt for us to move to make an alliance with one of these forces. We can even continue our exploration while we do such as well. But we have to remember that the longer we take, the more time we give them to prepare for us."
Tulsino tries to get a feel for the area and see what he can find in each direction by going to the nearest high point.
Garr'ak would swing up into his saddle after giving Geoffrey a rough pat on the head. "Let's check out the bandit's camp (Where they were laying in ambush) up here and then we can choose where to head to next. Whether that be to the Mites or the Kobolds. I have no real knowledge of either of these creatures. Does anyone else?"
He nods to Garr'uk, then whistles for Tokubetsu.
Looking around the camp reveals roughly 10 days of rations for 40 people and three casks of halfling wine. No other clues are apparent.
Garr'ak would drop out of his saddle once they made it to the bandit's camp and start searching around for anything of use with Geoffrey. Finidng little more than food and wine, which he would help load, he would turn to the others.
"As I said, I know little of these creatures and thusly know not of which we should approach as a possible ally. Thigis. Thagis. Do either of you know more about these creatures?"
As you head in the southeasterly direction Thagis and Thigis point out, Thigis, "I haven't heard much about them. The kobolds used to be decent to trade with I hear but lately not so much. The mites are nasty little snots though."
Cato recalls that the tribe names itself after it's chief, last called Sootscale as far as he can remember.
"If previous relations have been formed with the Kobolds, then perhaps we might be best served by dealing with them. What do the rest of you think?" Garr'ak would ask.
Geoffrey would currently not be by his side, Garr'ak having sent him ahead to scout.
I don't mind dealing with the creatures if they lead us to the greater threat. And if they move to strike us, they will find their proper justice!
Tulsino smiles at the prospect.
The travel takes you to small rickety bridges crossing over a 20 foot deep gulch. The rolling foothills make other crossings impossible with wagon.
Looks like this is the only way accros. Let's try to go slowly.
Garr'ak would swing down off of his horse. "I'll lead my horse over first to test it." Without waiting for further reply, Garr'ak would tell Geoffrey to wait and start for the bridge.
Garr'ak is able to cross slowly with his horse in tow, the bridge creeks dangerously several times. Thagis and Thigis begin digging through Thaleles wagon, asking if Thaleles has any pulleys or hammers.
Tulsino slowly walks his horse across the bridge.
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Unfortunately I have no such items. Only that of which we have collected from the bandits we have slain. My protege kept most if that with her to help her in constructing a small laboratory. That being said, please kindly remove yourselves from my stores. his hand reaches down for his bow, but doesnt grasp it yet.
Tulsino is also able to cross as well with more creaking but still no breaks.
Didn't feel safe, not liking this bridge. Maybe we can find a way to strengthen it with some beams or something underneath?
Tulsino begins looking around to make sure they are not about to be ambushed.
"I have something that could strengthen it, but it's rare and we very well may need it later," Garr'ak would say simply.
Then with a whistle, he would call Geoffrey to his side. The wolf would slowly make his way across the bridge.
What is it? Perhaps this is just the occasion we need it for to get everyone across safely. Tulsino asks inquisitively.
Taka looks at the bridge, then his companions. "The primary worry is how to get the wagon over, as it seems we can likely go across one at a time as it stands...just no chance of it holding that wagon."
"I have some tape with magical properties, but as I said, it's not easy to come by. Even more so now that we are away from the city."
The gulch is fairly steep but relatively easy to climb up or down. A donkey or mule could do so easily. A horse would have difficulty. The bridge is barely wide enough for a wagon but it's creaking does imply it won't take that.
"Garr'ak, you have lots of tools, correct? Perhaps we could chop down some trees and brace the bridge, perhaps?"
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Talathel grabs the lead reins of the wagon once everyone is across and slowly guides the horses and wagon across. Making sure to keep one of his hands on the rail, and the other on the reigns, he watches every step. We don't have the time. Every second we waist getting sidetracked is time we don't have. I expect to be at the southern border of the area we are to search in two days, and I'm not going beyond those borders set by the King.
The bridge all but screams under the weight of the wagon and horses, yet somehow manages to cross the bridge. It collapses a breath after the crossing into utter ruin.
I think I'm standing next to you in our next fight, you are the luckiest man alive. Let's just remember now that there is no easy way back out of here. Keep your wits about you so that we don't have to move through here again.
Tulsino takes another look around and starts heading off.
Garr'ak would nod his recognition to Thaleles bravery before remounting and continuing along their chosen course of action.
"How far are the Kobolds from here Thagis?"