As Brom reenters the fort, Castor notes his injury and steps over to help the barbarian, applying his brightly-glowing hand to the warrior's injury.
"This ought to do it. Is anyone else hurt?"
Cappi strolls his way over to the prisoner, after presenting his own commendation for verification. He takes a seat in the shade beside where the prisoner lies and pulls a pipe from his own pack. He's quite leisurely in packing the pipe and lighting it. As he does so, a firy-red maned house cat leaps down from the ramparts above and plops to the dirt lazily beside him.
"Welcome back, Captain Bo." Cappi says without looking at the animal. "You missed the action it seems, what a shame." Taking a slow puff, the halfling then blows out a ring of smoke that collides with the cat's pug face, who snorts and swats at the evaporating ring.
"When our friend here wakes, we may have some more fun after all."
Before the prisoner is awake Den asks the group a "policy" question. Something has weighed on my heart since receiving my charter. The charter is clear. Bandits shall be put to death with sword or rope. But what of men who renounce their life as a bandit? Technically they are no longer bandits, and perhaps would not have to be put down? I think we need some way to spare men who surrender and choose to start a new life. If we do not find a way to do this then word will get out and none will surrender. In such a way we will make our job all the more difficult while killing off most of the able bodied fighting men in the land. Some day we may need these men who are willing to pick up a weapon and fight and I would not waste life needlessly. The ranger's mouth closes and he has a strange expression on his face. You may get the idea that this is more than the elf has said all at once in a long time. He looks to each of you trying to read your thoughts on the subject before you speak.
Seeing that his earlier channel was not enough, Castor releases a second pulse over the camp.
"I can only agree with Dendarial's words. We may be able to convince some to join our side. I will gladly follow along with any such plan.
Glancing about from face to face as Dendarial makes his case, Rufus seems to assess each person's reaction to the Elf's words, yet says nothing himself.
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As Dendarial speaks, a smile forms at the corner of Will's mouth, "You clearly know where I stand on that idea, anything that limits bloodshed and aids the cause of good I'm all for. Hmm, If we plan to use Oleg's here as a base of operations, perhaps one of us could stay and keep the supply lines clear, and keep the converted bandits under a watchful eye as caravan guards? I doubt they will be tempted to resume their ways as they see a steady flow of wares from dead bandit's coming in."
"Actually I believe the charter is very unclear Dendarial, for it says 'The punishment for unrepentant banditry remains, as always, execution by sword or rope.'" Winifred makes sure to place extra stress on the word unrepentant. "Should the bandits repent, there is no punishment outlined, such a contract is not very clear at all." Winifred remembered how much her Chelish mother stressed the importance of the exact wording of a contract, for it was what was written in the contract and not what the intention of the contract by the writer which is binding. "Since there is no punishment outlined for repentant bandits, I say we are free to do with them as we like, if they should repent."
"I am of the opinion that it is our task, as bearers of the charter, to determine how to best execute its itentions. Since we have been given the power to judge and execute bandits, it falls upon us to judge whether or not one of them can be reformed. Even if the charter had not specified 'unrepentant', it would still have been within our power and allowance to attempt to reform one of them. Decisions should not be left to what may very well be the whims of a turn of phrase."
Castor quickly glances at the assembled adventurers, intent on making sure he is heard heard.
"Ink may speak clearly," Castor solemnly declares, "but it cannot think."
Very well said. We have, according to this charter, to fight the banditry, secure the vast wilderness to the best of our possibilities and to open the roads for new settlements.
Killing people who sincerely amend for their ways and can be useful for the community is just plain nonsense. Of course, a vigilant eye should be keeped on such "reformed" people for a while.
It's been quite a long speech for Hadin too. Seeing most of the faces turned to him, he quickly adds
that's just my opinion. But I think it's a valid one.
After some time Thoed strolls back into the keep to find everyone in the midst of discussion. Having to take some time to himself after his first real battle he interjects. "Yeah, no sense in unnecessary killing, but the bastards shouldn't be let off the hook easy. I mean they WERE intending on killing us.” he shrugs and looks around at the other new faces. "I'm Theod Garess by the way, sorry about disappearing there needed a bit of a moment to myself..."
Brom, listening in to the conversation, fishes inside his pack for his copy of the charter, turning it over and then right side up to read it clearly, his lips moving as he sounds out some of the words. He dips his head towards the recently returned Theod, introduces himself as Brom, and then addresses the others, "Vhat is zhis small man vord you speak of, un-re-pent-ant?"
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His clothing having dried somewhat, Karse redresses and puts on his new suit of chainmail. From Oleg, he purchases a grooming kit and a gear maintenance kit, which he stows in his pack, along with the extra rations he took from the bandit loot.
"Well," he states plainly, "I will not kill those who surrender and seem sincere in their desire to change. But neither am I a fool. A man does not mend his ways overnight. Perhaps Kurgan would not object to making sure that he remains on the straight and narrow, and I'm certain Oleg could use an extra set of hands. Else, we can always use a bearer."
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Returning with Karse after obtaining the paladin's chain shirt, Will adds, "Sounds like we are in general agreement about what to do with repentant, or people who change their ways," including that last part for Brom. "Now, should we wake this one and see if he chooses life and providing information, or death? Who wants to be the primary questioner, as it would only add confusion for him to be bombarded with questions from 7 people at once?"
Castor only needs a quick look at the assembled adventurers to figure out what he believes is the best course of action.
"I believe our prisoner would be most likely to answer given a more... intimidating interrogator. Brom, would you care to do the honors and ask him the questions? Your scars are muscles are sure to make an impression."
Castor sits near the prisoner.
"I will gladly listen in. I have become rather adept at picking out lies."
Yet, despite his statement, Castor would find himself paying more attention to the birds perching atop the fort's towers than he would to the bandit's words...
Brom shakes his head in further confusion, "And how do ve know if zhey vill change zheir vays and not betray us vhen zhey see our backs?" As for the prisoner Brom removes one of his throwing axes secured to his waist, "I vill put zhe fear of deazh into him and he vill speak, or he vill die as a dog!" and slams the small axe into a post by the stable.
Brom gives Will an approving nod, and removes his remaining throwing axe, reaching for the captive to wake and start questioning him, but stops himself, a sheepish look on his face. "Vhat questions are zhere to ask?"
Winifred sighs, and looks at Brom, "I've got this good sir." She says, placing a hand on the captive and shaking him until he awakens.
Before the bandit has a chance to make any sound, Winifred gags the man with a sock she had taken off one of the bandit corpses. "I know you were trying to kill us, and we killed your friends, well at least they did." She indicates the rest of the group. "But if you tell me what I want to know, and if you are willing to reform your ways, you might just live to be an old man, otherwise well I'm pretty sure you can guess what the walking muscle over there is going to do with you." She points her thumb back at Brom.
"I'm going to ask you a few simple questions, it is in your best interest to answer them truthfully, because you are not going to be let out of these ropes until after we verify your answers, and if you lie, well I won't stop these ones from doing whatever they please. After I have asked you all of my questions, I will remove the sock from your mouth, understood?" She waits for an indication that she has made herself understood before beginning her questioning.
"Who do you work for, where are the rest of the bandits, and what have you been doing with the supplies you stole from Oleg?" She asks, making sure to keep the questions simple and asking in a patient and pleasant tone, removing the sock from the man's mouth once she is done so that he may answer.
The bandit coughs as the sock is removed from his mouth, looking at the party and measuring each of them up in turn. His movements and manner seem neither hostile nor friendly, nor does he seem to have any malice or hate showing on his features.
The man tries to answer the questions as they are tossed at him. "I worked for Happs, who in turn got his orders from Kressle, the leader of our group. I know he took orders from someone else, but I never knew who that was. There were whispers of a stag lord somewhere to the south, and I'd bet that is where his orders came from. The man gulps down a bit of air and continues, "Our camp is to the south, about two days journey from here. Some of the others stayed back, as we weren't expecting so many to be here. As for the supplies, most were sent south, to wherever Kressle was sending them. She never told us the destination."
"Can you tell us anything about this Kressle?" Winifred adds, deciding not to ask about the stag lord.
The man responds, "She's ruthless, cold, and will not be happy to hear about what you've done to her men. Once she finds out, you'll be wanting to watch your backs."
Speaking in front of the bandit, Dendarial addresses the group. He will need to renounce his life as a bandit to not face the rope; swear some kind of binding oath to the Sword Lords, and to us, as their agents. He needs to understand there will be no second chance if he is caught at banditry again.
Winifred looks over at her compatriots and the back at the bandit, "If we don't get to her first. Could you take us to your camp, or at least give us better directions the just two days south?" "Do this for us and help us rid this area of the bandits and you will be free, but you can no longer remain a bandit yourself."
The man shakes his head vigorously, "I'll draw you a map, but I'm not going anywhere near Kressle after what happened. That is as good as a death sentence. I'll gladly take whatever oath you want and will be far from here by the morning, but going back to face her is not in my plans."
"That sounds acceptable, unbind his arms so that he may draw us a map." She looks around at her allies, adding "Someone come up with an oath for this guy."
I cannot agree. The man should go free, after his oath, and some penance . But we cannot risk him betraying us to this Kressle before we move on her camp. Besides he has a debt to pay to Oleg. He should stay here to work off that debt. By the time it is paid back we should be done with Kressle, for good or ill.
Brom watches, amazed and struggling to hide it, as the diminutive Winifred extracts seemingly detailed and non-violently coerced information from the bandit. The barbarian leans against a wall in the background with a throwing axe in hand, simultaneously trying to look intimidating and read the bandits body language for clues for any falsehood, but he's not able to see much beyond what his eyes show him. Several times he catches himself staring, mouth slightly agape, as the seemingly solid information pours forth from the prisoner. Despite himself, Brom finds himself drawn to her charisma, and good sense. Eventually he gives an imperceptible snort, and raises his eyebrows high, By the spirits, I'm glad the lass is not questioning me!
Brom studies the bandit for a moment, trying to glean a hunch as to if this bandit is giving accurate information. Try as he might, the large man just can't seem to get a feeling for all this small folk double talk and verbal sparring and just ends up feeling as if this culture's ways are as cryptic as a page of arcane text...
"Actually...
Him high-tailing it as far from here as possible does serve Oleg & Svetlana to a certain degree...
Word will spread that their Trading Post had the strength to all but wipe out a band of Bandits...
Which will get them the respect they will need to prevent, or reduce, Bandit attacks in the future.
& since they didn't simply kill all of them outright, but allowed those willing to surrender, they show that they aren't just bloodthirsty killers themselves."
Brom frowns deeply, not following the discussion perfectly, but getting a good gist of what's being discussed. "Zhe fear of us and zhis outpost is very good." he says in acknowledgment of Rufus's point. "But to free him on zhe hope he vill not return is not good. He could reveal all strengths and veaknesses. Vinifred broke him vizh ease, how vould he fair vizh his own kind? Or on zhe torturers table? Zhe People say, 'Do not trust an enemy further zhan your veapon's edge'." and with one hand lifts Krasa perpendicular to his body as an example of how far Brom trusts him, muscles contorting with the effort. "Zhis man is an enemy, and vizhout honor."
He looks around and thumbs Krasa down to the ground, apparently signalling he's said his piece and is again ready to listen.
There's alredy plenty of people around the bandits, interrogating him. So Hadin keeps his distance from this small group, his eyes wandering from one new face to another.
Then he hears the dreaded word of "torture" from the mouth of that mountain of a man, and takes more attention of his speech, coming closer.
He may be without honor, but how will he learn what honor is if we don't show him? Who would try to teach him honor, and what's right and wrong? His so called "friends" from the bandit camp? I don't zhink... sorry, think so.
He looks at the massive mace that Brom put down to the ground
It was a tremendous display of strength, to rise this weapon one handed. You must be a pride for your kind.You're more powerful than our prisoner. Can you show him the same strength of character? Can't you teach him how and when to use your might, and when to put your weapon down?
"I fear that we may not have enough time to teach a lost man how to behave," Castor interjects. "I believe Dendarial's proposition may be the best. Some honest work would do more to bring a man back on the honest route than any amount of teachings."
Brom shakes his head sadly when Hadin suggests teaching the bandit honor, "Zhe People do not teach honor. Vun must find it inside... or not. If vun has not honor, zhey leave Zhe People. Zhis I cannot teach." Brom emphasizes his inability to do so, rather than the hopelessness of teaching it at all. When Hadin starts talking about Brom strength, the big man (although not all that much bigger than Hadin) grins, but then his features darken at 'You must be a pride of your kind.' "-I am no pride to Zhe People!" He barks, suddenly stormy faced. Grabbing up Krasa he leaves the immediate area, moving behind a building and out of sight. He reappears up on the eastern battlements, moving to the side, propping Krasa next to him and looking east towards some distant point only he can see, long ponytail fluttering in the wind.
Castor watches Brom walk away, concerned. After the barbarian stops moving, Castor approaches calmly.
"You seem rather troubled, friend. Is there something I may be of help with? I would gladly hear your troubles out, if you would like."
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Will watches the interrogation with interest, impressed at Winifred's ability to get the information she wanted quickly. He doesn't chime in, content to let the more vocal and opinionated hash it out. As long as the bandit wouldn't be immediately slain, he was content. A slight chuckle escapes his lips as Castor goes to attend another of his recently acquired flock. It seems I am not the only one learning about themselves and having their beliefs challenged on this adventure. he thinks, giving Brom and Castor their space.
"Then shall we have him work for Oleg, and learn from honest work, or let him treat this as a learning experience and flee from this place far away. I believe that honest work would be best to keep the man from returning to banditry personally." Winifred chimes back in as her allies seem to be at odds over what to do with the reforming bandit.
Dendarial nods his approval.
Theod watches the others and the interrogation, taking note of the bandits information. Trying to recall anything about Kressle or this stag lord that he can recall from any reading he had done on the area or news he had heard before heading down. Also keeping a keen eye on the bandit to see how honest he is being.
Castor watches Brom walk away, concerned. After the barbarian stops moving, Castor approaches calmly.
"You seem rather troubled, friend. Is there something I may be of help with? I would gladly hear your troubles out, if you would like."
The Barbarian notes the elf approaching but remains staring to the east. After the question he's silent a bit longer, then sighs quietly and releases much of the tension previously apparent, and responds in an equally calm voice, "Zhank you, friend Castor. Vhen it is good to speak of it, I vill."
He glances behind him down at the questioning going on down below, "You zhink zhis bandit is being re-pen-tant?" The large man gives a little snort of derision, his feelings about it pretty clear.