Oleg and Svetlana offer you the use of their bunkhouse for as long as you would like. For your efforts in defending the post there will be free room and board available to you here at any time you should need it. The bunk house can sleep 8 people in the beds. Unfortunately the rest will need to sleep in tents or on the floor until improvements can be made to expand the accommodations.
Brom, when the times comes, settles onto the catwalk to sleep, preferring to sleep under the starts unless it's raining, at which point he'll move in to sleep on the floor of the bunk house.
Rufus will pitch his tent outside, Boon sleeping with him.
The bandit eyes the large man and answers, "If I were to give you any other answer than yes, I'd likely be hung from the front gates. So yes, of course I am repentant. Can I go now?"
Castor seeks out Oleg in the trading post.
"Pardon me, Oleg, would it be a good moment for some barter? I have been looking to acquire certain goods. I have been using this backpack for a long time, and it is approaching its final days. Would you happen to have another similar bag I could purchase, perhaps in exchange for a portion of my share's value from the goods seized from the bandits? I am searching for something of good quality, since it will see much use. I could also use a new grooming kit, mine has suffered an unfortunate encounter with a raccoon, leaving it in a rather poor state."
Brom smiles, "No. I vas just curious." and gets up.
Cappi gladly claims one of the bunks, not opting as others have done to be quite as altruistic. He very much enjoys the luxury of sleeping in human-sized bunks, as he can stretch his arms and legs as much as he desires without breaking free of the blanket!
Oleg produces a masterwork backpack that has seen some use, but it still quite serviceable. He also digs up a grooming kit that only has a few stray hairs in the comb and brush.
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From Oleg, Karse purchases a grooming kit and a personal gear maintenance kit. Over dinner, he sits are carefully goes over his armor, oiling it and insuring that there are no gaps or other potential weak points. He goes over his flail, as well, insuring that it is in prime condition. He will see to the need of the horses, and then to our "guest," bringing him food and water, before settling down for the night himself. Like Cappi, he favors a bunk over sleeping on the ground (again).
Before turning in, Karse trims his beard and cleans his teeth, paying particular attention to his fangs.
"Ah, wonderful. Thank you very much. I will make sure that you get your fair value for these out of my share of the bandits' equipment. Quite happy to barter with you, Oleg."
The exchange done, Castor retires outside, not too far from Rufus, and begins pitching a tent of his own.
Winifred will also acquire a grooming kit from Oleg. After dinner she will make sure clean out the grooming kit before using it and taking a bed in the bunk house.
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Will see’s everyone cleaning out Oleg’s of grooming and gear maintenance kits, and hurry’s to grab one of his own. ”Odd what you don’t think to bring with you when you are initially packing.” he mutters to himself. He joins the others in grooming himself and checking his gear for wear. ”Karse, thank you for keeping this chain shirt in immaculate repair, there wasn’t a link out of place!” he says, smiling at the half-orc.
With a few people already camping and sleeping outside, Will claims a bunk, propping his sword against the frame for ease of reach. I shouldn’t need it, but it’s good to get into the habit.
With Oleg's permission Dendarial will string a hammok up in one of the post's towers, setting up a tarp in case of rain. He likes the view from there and is used to sleeping outside. This is an ideal location for his owl to hunt from as well.
Before retiring the elven ranger takes time to introduce the group to his animal companion, Acio. She is a short eared owl, native to the souther woods. I raised her from a very young age. I plan to let her hunt tonight and she will watch for us as as well. She can be quite defensive of me when I am sleeping so please take care if approaching.
Theod spends some time with Oleg working out trades or buying new gear outright.
Grooming Kit [1gp]
Gear Maintenance Kit [5gp]
Compass [10gp]
Everburning Torch [110gp]
Journal [10gp]
Measuring Cord x5 [5gp]
Waterproof Bag x2 [1gp]
Waterskin x3 [3gp]
Mapmaker's Kit x2 [20gp]
MW Thieves Tools [100gp]
Feed [2sp]
Brom approaches Sir Karse, "Hello zhere, did ve meet? I am Brom, and zhis is my beauty, Krasa." and holds up his earth breaker proudly. "Vhat is your name? Are you an Kurgan kin zhen?"
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The towering half-orc turns and regards the big man casually. "I am Karse. Sir Karse, if you prefer to be formal, but Karse is fine." He extends a hand in friendship. "I fear my weapon does not bear a name; it is not as noble as yours, but it serves me well." He pats the flail that hangs from a loop on his belt. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Brom. Always good to know with whom one entrusts their life. I fear that I do not know who Kurgan is, so I am unable to answer your other question."
Brom clasps the extended hand warmly, "Karse, very good." When Karse suggests Krasa is noble Brom starts laughing as if that was the funniest joke of the year, "Krasa is noble?! Zhat is a very funny joke, friend Karse." he leans in, "She is a beauty, but a bigger whore you'll never find. She'll taste zhe blood of any man, and most vomen. You see? Whore. But I still love her." He'd been admiring the weapon as he described her, but then he turns back to Karse, and gives him a wink. He looks around the tradepost for Kurgan, pointing out the half-orc thief to Sir Krase, "Zhere! Zhat big fellow by zhe fire. No relation then?" he eyes Karse skeptically, both of the half-orcs having some clear similarities, at least to the culturally sheltered barbarian.
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"Ah, no, then. No relation, at least not by blood. Kurgan and I would seem to have a similar background. I cannot speak for him, but I never knew my father. Or my mother, really. I was raised by the church, but I do know that my kind usually come as a product of rape. It is seldom affection that draws human women to orc males."
Brom's eyes widen as he realizes the truth of Karse's and Kurgan's origins, "I see. Zhe People often take the vomen of zheir enemies as zhe spoils of battle. You say zhe church is your fazher zhen?"
Brum purses his lips, impressed, "So zhe House Orlovsky taught you zhe flail. Is your mozher zhe vun who put you at zheir door zhen?"
"Zhen your mozher and fazher could be out zhere somevhere. Zhat is good, yes?" Brom leans Krasa against the wall and then follows suit, getting comfortable during his conversation with Karse.
Brom nods in silent acknowledgment of Karse's statement. "Vell, it vill be good to be on zhe road again." The barbarian's eyes' get a conspiratorial look, "Perhaps ve could spar sometime, you seem sturdy, unlike many of zhe small men of zhis group. Zhat vould be good, yes?"
On the morning before going exploring, Hadin spends some time talking with his aunt, and do his share of chores.
He checks on his meager possessions, and makes sure he's ready to go whenever his group want.
He then take half an hour to pray to Erastil.
After everyone has stopped badgering the prisoner and he sees an opportunity to speak with the man without the others butting in he'll approach the man to speak with him.
"So... I was curious what kind of pay you were getting while you were a bandit? I know the others don't want you causing problems for their raid on the bandits and I know you don't really want to be sitting around here so I was thinking maybe we could work out some other mutually beneficial arrangement?" He looks at the man waiting for his anwser.
Also not sure if I can take 20 on a Sense Motive over a days worth of watching someone, but Theod would try to keep an eye on him that first two weeks to make sure he was on the up and up.
Thankful for the comforts of the fort, Castor retires early to his tent, after tending to his equipment and his horse.
"I will leave the bunks to the rest of you. I do not sleep quite right without the breeze and the crickets. I shall see you all in the morning. May the Tender of Dreams be good to you tonight."
True to his word, all but the earliest of wakers would find as they awaken, Castor is already up and about as the run rises.
Slightly before the break of dawn, he lays in the grass, still fresh with morning dew, and gazes at the stars as the sun slowly makes itself seen. He can be heard whispering a few prayers.
Later on, he can be seen tending to Capella, brushing her mane and coat.
Finally, while waiting for the rest of the fort to awaken, he decides to take a simple stroll around the walls, figuring that his hosts and companions may enjoy some form of fresh food to complement breakfast.
The sight of a tree laden with wild cherries greets him with glee, and Castor sets to the task of harvesting from its branches. He returns to the camp momentarily, carrying a sack filled with the sweet fruit.
While it would not, by itself, be enough to carry the group through the day, it would certainly help complement what else they had. Perhaps with Dendarial's help and that of other talented woodsmen, they would again feast for a day without needing to dig into their provisions.
After everyone has stopped badgering the prisoner and he sees an opportunity to speak with the man without the others butting in he'll approach the man to speak with him.
"So... I was curious what kind of pay you were getting while you were a bandit? I know the others don't want you causing problems for their raid on the bandits and I know you don't really want to be sitting around here so I was thinking maybe we could work out some other mutually beneficial arrangement?" He looks at the man waiting for his anwser.
[dice=Diplomacy]1d20+5
[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+3** spoiler omitted **
The bandit really does not seem interested in the offer, explaining he would rather get back to the city and try to find some honest work that would get him away from the area. You note from his tone that it is likely he fears being seen as a turncoat by the others of his kind in the River Kingdoms and he's probably planning on putting as much distance between this place and himself as possible.
As the group makes their preparations for the journeys that each of them are about to take, Kurgan meets with them and assures them that he will keep an eye on the prisoner and put him to work while they are away. He also suggests sending word to Restov informing the Sword Lords of the failed attack and the party's success in holding back the bandits, as well as their plans for rooting out the source of the attacks. As luck would have it, a trader heading in that direction passes through that morning to buy some furs from Oleg and to make a supply run to Restov, to return in about two weeks. He gladly agrees to carry along the message as well as refresh Oleg's supply of stock and trade for some of the excess gear the party had provided Oleg.
Oleg approaches the party while gear is being gathered and says, "Svetlana and I appreciate the work you are doing, even if it means my life may be tougher with new folk arriving in the lands. I understand progress, even if I don't like it." He thinks for a moment and continues, "You might want to head east of here to start your exploration, and visit old Bokken. He's a hermit who lives not too far from here and usually has a nice supply of potions to trade when he comes around. He'd be a good contact to make as you start your work. He's a little jittery, but he's good people."
Svetlana approaches the group with a few bundles of provisions, one for each party. Inside they find bread, some cheese, and a good amount of salted pork. She thanks each of the party members and promises a hot meal and a full tankard upon their return.
"Well then, it seems like finding this Bokken would be as good a starting point as any for us."
Before the party departs, Castor seeks Oleg and Svetlana out. "I would like to offer my most heartfelt thanks for your help in this endeavor. It is quite comforting to know that we have a familliar place to return to. Rest assured that we shall do all in our power to ensure your safety and prosperity."
The deed done, Castor finishes packing up and loads up Capella as the party prepares to go.
Rufus gives the Trader a letter to be delivered to the Swordlord's representative along with the report.
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Will awakes in the morning with a yawn and a stretch, pausing to scratch a few tingly places on his fore arm before donning his armor again and making ready for the day.
While getting ready to go, he thanks Svetlana for the provisions, and assuming no objections, packs them with the rest of his provisions on his mule, Bob. ”If anyone else in the bandit group needs it; there is still some space in my packs on Bob here.” says Will as everyone else scurries about the trading post, getting ready for the day’s adventure.
Brom wakes and yawns expansively, splashing some water in his face from his waterskin. He gratefully takes his portion of the provisions and can't keep from licking his lips in anticipation of a full tankard upon their return. Work first, drink later. the thirsty barbarian reminds himself. He pulls on the chain shirt, secures his things inside his pack, and gives Krasa a cleansing wipe down to get rid of unsightly smudges and dirty. He careful not to clean the head of the heavy earth breaker, preferring to leave the remnants of his foes there to strike fear into his enemies. Moving to the gate he puts his pack down and waits for the rest of the bandit hunters to be ready, watching the bustling activity of the small men with a small smile. "It is a good day." he says as he watches, speaking mostly to himself.
In the dim light of early morning Dendarial plods off into the fields near the trading post. Hunting with his owl companion me manages to flush out and take a few game birds and a couple of hares.
When Svetlana give him the provisions he offer her the game. My Thanks. He says quietly. And may I repay your kindness and with this. He presents her with the brace of field dressed game. He then goes to help get the horses ready. Will, if there is room I would store my camping gear and these extra arrows on a horse so they do not over burden me.
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Will nods to Dendariel, and helps the elf pack his things on to the mule, ”Hopefully we don’t need the few hundred arrows we now have on this particular mission.” Looking at the rest of the bandit group, he adds ”Do we plan to return here after dealing with the bandits, or are we going to just continue our exploration from there?”
Brom considers Will's question, "I zhink it vould be good to return. For trade and share vord of our glorious victory vizh zhe ozhers."
In the morning, Winifred doesn't want to get out of her bed, it had been awhile since she had slept on a real bed, she had forgotten how nice it was, and she was not in a hurry knowing the fact that she would not be sleeping in a real bed for at least several more days. When she finally does awaken, she says a prayer to Aroden before making her bed, adding a short prayer to the inheritor as well before leaving the room. By the time Winifred is awake, it seems that everyone else has already been awake, doing various tasks before their journey begins again.
Hearing Oleg's advice, Winifred adds, "Sounds like this 'old Bokken' is a good a start as any." she says as she begins to tend to her newly acquired horse.
Cappi meets the morning light with a spring in his step and cheer in his still rather sarcastic voice. His sleep was fantastic, as while he tossed and turned he stayed beneath covers and above mattress. Stupendous!
His eyes still somewhat puffy, he does his best to calm the shock of black hair that has stubbornly adopted a new understanding of working gravity. He eventually decides that the struggle isn't worth his time, and buries it beneath his blue bandanna as usual. He then ensures that his blades are stored safely, burying one in each of his wrist sheaths for easy concealment, then pulls on the wrest of his clothing. (He doesn't sleep in the buff mind you... but nearer to it than one might hope).
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Eventually Cappi joins Brom, Will and Dendarial at the gate, approaching with a skip and a red apple clutched in his fist. As he walks, he carefully shaves a slice from the fruit with his dagger and carefully uses the same tool to slide it into his grinning mouth. He then shaves off another small piece and flips it to the pug-faced cat that lazily shadows him. The animal stops to sniff the bit of apple, then resumes it's steady crawl.
Cappi shrugs, and resumes his meal. "Mornik..." he says, with a mouthful of apple, and a wink to the others. Then after swallowing his bite, "Aye. Probably good to check back. But no reason we can't squeek the land on our way, right?"