Andre waits uneasily for the sneakier members of the group to return.
Seeing no one offer, Sazu shrugs and starts emerging from their place of hiding and casts invisibility on himself.
Sazu, when you move to check out the scene, you find that the area looks like it was slept in within the last day. Given the marks on the ground and the way the two people strung up are tied, it looks like they were dragged here and strung up by someone else. There are no signs of combat here, so it seems likely that whatever fight happened didn't happen at the "camp".
Andre stares into the woods, uneasy with the whole situation. Come on...don't dawdle.
Sazu looks around for obvious ambushes and traps, then returns to the group to tell them what he saw.
Ihon stands idly by while the others discuss what to do.
Sazu, your invisibility will only last about another minute by the time you've returned to the group.
So far you don't see any obvious ambushes, though it seems likely that someone plans to return to this site.
"I don't know when they'll be back, but they'll most definitely be back. We could try an ambush, or just run in and grab the fellas hanging by their wrists."
Sazu also lets them know that his invisibility will be running out soon.
"But I can do it again, on someone who could capitalize on it better."
"By the horns, let's get them down!" Andre exclaims. "At the very least, they can tell us what's going on. Just watch out that it's not an ambush."
Sensing hesitation from the others, Sazu will look to the captives and hold his hand over his mouth, fiddling his fingers to activate the message cantrip.
"please do not react to this. moan in pain for yes, grit your teeth for no.
"do you think your captors are nearby?
Sazu informs the group of the answer when he receives it.
"I don't think I can cut them down, I may be small, but slim chance I can get up that tree to cut the ropes..."
Andre seems to be getting more and more agitated. "Well, we need to do something! If none of the rest of you will act, watch my back."
If no one offers a more immediate plan, Andre will take his dagger and move to cut the hanging men down.
Amideo rides over to the hanging men and helps to cut them down with his longsword.
Ihon watches the two men move forward, tilting his head. With a frown he looks around and stares off into the woods.
Andre is able to cut the ropes and with the help of the group, lower the people to the ground. As you all start to remove the rest of the bindings, a group of four people starts to come out of the trees beyond the clearing.
What exactly do you think you are doing? The person in the lead, armed with a drawn sword and shield, asks. One of their companions has a greatsword, one is covered in potions and gadgets, and the final appears to be a robed spellcaster of some kind.
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Amideo turns his horse around and says, "We are freeing these captives, as all with noble intentions should. What we think we are doing is the right thing, and I invite you to show the error of our ways."
That was quicker than I thought...
Sazu takes a quick glance over the attire of the four newcomers, trying to find some sort of political signet or maybe a description that's been floating in the local tavern.
Amideo, you think that they are likely being openly aggressive and they are clearly hostile to you. By speaking with them you are able to calm them slightly and they are only unfriendly instead.
Sazu, these folks are clearly well armed and armored, but their clothing bears no specific symbols of allegiance. However, based on the somewhat odd collection of armor pieces and what you know of the area, it seems like that these people are bandits, rebels, or both.
Ihon stands quietly, watching the newcomers.
“At the moment, we have no quarrel with you that I can see,” Andre says firmly. ”We heard a struggle and found these men in this situation. We thought we’d help...if they’re bandits, give the word and we’ll bring them in for justice. But if you don’t know anything about them, why don’t we all just go on our way?”
There. A chance for them to avoid bloodshed for now, at least.
Oh, they are the worst sort of bandits, one of the armed folk says. They are stealing from the good people of this land, repressing us. They make their lavish living on the backs of the downtrodden. And we figured that if we strung them up here some of their well paid lapdogs would come find them. So, is that you lapdog?
Sazu glances at his companions, and the obviously rough group of men in front of them. Judging from their speech, it wouldn't be odd if there was some men circling around for an ambush...
You don't see any other ambushers currently waiting in the wings. Just the folks in front of you.
"No, no lapdogs here." Sazu hastily replies, glancing to the others. While he had a few tricks up his sleeve, against four men that were watching him closely, it was would be very difficult to pull off...sneaky.
Not sure if he believes these oddly behaving individuals, Sazu makes the following offer.
"Capturing brigands is good for the roads. Shall I whip you up some magic to better your odds against your future fights?"
Ihon tilts his head as he looks at the men. We have found some of those we are searching for, he says to no one in particular. Conviction or desperation. What really drives these people.
The people in front of you shake their heads. We have no need of your magic. What we need, we have. Now if you claim to be our allies, prove it. We understand that you didn't know these folks and wanted to help your fellow man. But now that you know they are drains on the people, kill them and we can move forward as allies.
The robed individual adds, Or move along. Otherwise we are enemies.
Who would be the evil men then? Ihon muses to himself.
Sazu thinks to himself, and decides to make a play.
"Then for the record at least, I have a spell that will make them confess their sins before us, and should they have any treasure they've kept from what they've stolen, they shall confess that as well."
The group seems cautious, but convinced to let you try.
The odd wizard barely seems to be paying attention to the conversation when suddenly he waves a hand in an arcane gesture and speaks a short harsh word of magic.
The person with a sword and shield and the person with a greatsword appear to be blinded. The one in robes and the one with the potions and gadgets do not.
Ihon points at the figure in robes and casts another spell.
Surprise Round
Sazu will begin a melody of inspiring courage, giving everyone a +2 bonus.
A 1st level bard can use his performance to inspire courage in his allies (including himself), bolstering them against fear and improving their combat abilities. To be affected, an ally must be able to perceive the bard’s performance. An affected ally receives a +1 morale bonus on saving throws against charm and fear effects and a +1 competence bonus on attack and weapon damage rolls. At 5th level, and every six bard levels thereafter, this bonus increases by +1, to a maximum of +4 at 17th level. Inspire courage is a mind-affecting ability. inspire courage can use audible or visual components. The bard must choose which component to use when starting his performance.
And hurries to the back of the group.
Very Slow Round 1
Sazu will cast grease under the apparent melee fighters, priority to the greatsword wielder.
Reflex save DC 16
The potion-wearing enemy pulls out a scroll and carefully intones some words.
When he does the greatsword user seems like he can see again. Meanwhile the spellcaster begins a loud prayer to Calistria which seems to bolster his allies.
Seeing that the rest of you are moving slowly, the greatsword wielder takes the opportunity to slip in close and attempts to sunder Ihon's spell component pouch.
The shield wielder bumbles around for a moment but seems to have restored his sight in preparation for the next action.
The greatsword wielder deftly dodges out of the way of the Grease.
Amideo draws his lance and dons his helmet, closing the visor.
Amideo yells, ”Mahouf, charge!” He spurs his horse forward, his lance readied to skewer the robed man.
Amideo charges into the potion wielder, knocking them to the ground and leaving them bleeding out.
Phaedra attacks the one on Ihon with her greatsword.