Thorn and Rikael close in on the face bandit but cannot connect with their weapon.
Unable to make any progress against Urga, the face bandit turns his attention to Rikawl. . This time, the bandit strikes true and scores a solid hit on Rikael.
Sildur and Urga press their attacks against the face bandit, but are unable to cause a wound.
Sturion lands a decisive blow on the bandit with his long hammer.
Agatha tries to hex the bandit. . The bandit succumbs to Agatha's magic and his defense is compromised.
Dru charges into combat and bites the man solidly, tearing flesh and drawing blood.
Seeing the battle not going his way, the bandit throws up his arms and says, "Mercy, Mercy! Surely the High Sentinels will spare me!"
Thorn ties up the last bandit with some help.
"Now tell us what we want to know."
Kick yer weapons away, an' make sure ye got no more...yer surrender is accepted if ye cooperate.
Sturion keeps an eye on him, and will attack if he takes violent action.
Now that you are at the pointy ends of our weapons, I'd expect you'll do the common sense thing and tell us what we ask... Else I'll just poke a few holes in you and let my witch friends' spells do the asking... And you don't have to be alive for that.
Sildur gives a shake of his head as the man surrenders, "We're no sentinels. Just men and women aggrieved by your fey masters. Tell us, are there more in your party? Scouts elsewhere? What of the fey?"
Dru watches the man intently, a low growl rumbling from within the bears chest...
Urga shakes his head at Agatha, "We will need to rest before I can heal again. Speaking of which, this may be a good spot to spend the night."
Urga walks over to the bandit and grabs him by the shirt, "Who do you work for? Are you aligned with the fey? Where's your base? How many more bandits are there?"
Me sire could heal. He'd just touch someone, an' call on Torag.
Sturion looks wistful.
Sildur cradles the still bleeding wound at his own side, his breathing somewhat labored, "I'm afraid my powers are similarly spent. We will need to rest soon..."
Rikael moves his shirt to hide the cut.
I'll be fine till morning, though I must say, I've been cut up quite a few times over this lady. What was so important about her that you kidnapped her?!
The last part is directed at the bandit, and accentuated by Rikael sheathing his rapier and taking a swig of ale from his flask. He puts it back on his belt and steps closer to the bandit.
I should also tell you, the last person we interrogated and didn't cooperate ended up in pieces, so I would play nice.
I'm in na mood ta be arguin' wit me comrades...so...out wit it.
Sturion glares through his bushy eyebrows at the bandit, but also shoots a glance at Rikael.
I live by a code...ifn you do yer part, I won' let no one harm ye. Prove ta still be an enemy, an' by Torag's law, yer life is mine.
Rikael glances at Sturion, quickly, and back at the bandit.
You need to speak, now.
He makes a motion behind his back, away from the eyes of the bandit for Sturion to see. It's the universal sign of ok, with his thumb and index finger forming a circle, and the other fingers pointing away from it.
Thorn moves closer to the fire, the spirits coming closer as if to keep him warm though he knows it's not true....They're here for the entertainment they think his friends can provide.
The bandit keeps his hands in plain sight and makes no serious attempt at escaping. He doesn't seem particularly impressed by Rikael but the two half-orcs working in concert make him shake noticeably.
He blubbers about, "I.. I.. told Rhokar that this was a bad idea. Even his power isn't enough to stop Izoze and those fey from making it snow over the summer. We may not be nobles, but the other creatures are far, far worse. Don't send me back to them!"
"Where are these others? What do you know of Izoze and the fey. Tell us all you remember and quickly!"
Urga snarls at the bandit, "You heard the druid, tell us everything or we'll send you back to the fey! Where is the fey lair? How are they creating this weather?"
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Agatha looms on the other side of the bandit
speak truthfully and we might, just might feel merciful enough to spare you and you companions
With that Agatha goes around and starts to use first aid on the fallen bandits, to stabilise them.
The two still dying (takes two rounds)
Retry (another two rounds)
Under further questioning, the bandit says the following things:
"We fought with the High Sentinels for a long time, with the sentinels often breaking up or raids. Once it started to get uncommonly cold, we were approached by some creatures claiming to be from far away. They were obviously magical and very powerful, bringing the cold with them. The strongest among them is called Izoze. Rhokar, our current leader, formed an alliance with these outlanders. They helped us take over the High Sentinel's lodge, but never stay with us for long. Izoze mostly only talks to Rhokar, and that is fine with me. The less I see of them, the better."
Agatha stabilizes the remaining bandits.
It is late morning.
Temperature is in the mid 30's(F).
Wind is blowing intermittently.
Snow falls intermittently.
"So That's what happened to the High Sentinels. Were they all wiped out?" a concerned Thorn asks as he adds wood to the fire.
Suldur gives the man a hard look, "You've allied yourselves with these monstrous fey! They brought this unnatural winter with them, do you truly believe they mean to stop here? This will spread until there is nothing but their desolate ice and snow from the inner sea to the crown of the world, if no one stops them!"
The druid seethes with anger,"You've sold your souls and destroyed those best in a position to oppose them. You make me sick! Where is your leader, Rkokar? The High Sentinels Lodge?"
Rikael does a double take.
Wait, you TOOK OVER the high sentinel's lodge?! So the fey have a free reign over this entire area?! Do you have any idea what that means?!
Rikael picks up the bandit by the front of his shirt, and slams him into the log barricade, faces inches apart as he roars at the man.
What made you think that was a good idea? Because of you, those creatures have almost no opposition to senselessly kill and destroy! Tell us now, you pathetic, worthless, waste of air, why did they take the noble woman, and WHAT ARE THEIR PLANS?!
He draws Feybane as he speaks the last part.
The bandit studders and shakes, trying to save his neck. "It's, ... It's not like that at all! If we didn't work with the outlanders, we would have been driven away or killed just like everybody else. We had no real choice in the matter. They don't tell us anything anyway, we just scout for them and raid the occasional caravan."
Then, trying to gain some sympathy he adds, "Remember, the cold doesn't do us any favors either. We have to deal with the snow and ice as well. Some of us have fallen sick because of that. We are just as affected by the winter as everybody else. Being able to use the High Sentinel's lodge is the only thing that has kept us from freezing just like the trees."
All I want to know is where Argentea is, and where the High Sentinel's lodge is.... I could give a damn less about you being cold! The right thing to do was stand up to the evil of those beasts, not join it!
He places the top of Feybane against the underside of the man's chin, pointing straight up into his brain.
Tell me, or you'll become uncomfortably intimate with this sword, do you understand? This is your last chance to speak.
While briefly taken aback by Rikael's outburst of violence, Sildur seems unsympathetic to the bandit's plea, "Decent men would have thrown in their lot with the Sentinels in the face of such abomination. Or had you planned to huddle in the lodge for the rest of your miserable lives? "
Sturion is almost ready to get between Rikael and the bandit...and does hold out his hand indicating he will...when the bandit finally spills his story.
Aye, ye did wrong...but mighta died, had ye done right. Now ye've failed 'em...an' yer only hope is that we kin stop 'em.
Sturion points back the way he came...Town is that way. Rest a bit now, do what ye can for yer fellows...an' go beg fer mercy...when we let ye go...an' do it quick...afore ye learn how generous my mercy be.
Urga shrugs as Sturion releases the bandit, "We better tie up the ones that are unconscious so they don't cause problems tonight. We are staying here tonight, correct?"
Urga starts gathering additional wood for the fire.
Thorn nods to Irga and sets off to find even more firewood. Disliking the chill already in his bones. Looking to make this campsite more comfortable.
Sturion collects weapons and armor...keeping a close eye on the bandit...and will even frisk him to be sure.
Dru curls up by the fire, enjoying the warmth.
Ye make quite a fire, Thorn. Ale? Anyone?
Sturion brings Tom in closer...pickets him...and taps one.
Standing from the collected weapons, Sildur gratefully accepts the offered drink, clapping Sturion on the back, "My thanks, you might just get us through this mess with our spirits unbowed!"
Procuring a bowl from his supplies he fills it with ale and sets it by Dru, scratching the bear behind the ears.
Dru laps at the bowl enthusiastically, as glad of the respite as his companions.
Sturion settles next to Dru and sratches him behind the ears...a bear after me own heart.
Looking up at Sildur...I've a mind to. Ye can't let yer spirits go...
Urga prepares to settle in for the evening, "We will need to post guards. Shall we keep the same shifts as before?"
Darkest o' the night fer me. Damn snow just 'bout blinds me.
After his interrogation, Rikael will plop himself down by Sturion and Sildur and take a swig of the ale.
I'll take whichever watch no one else wants. I don't care as long as I can sit by the fire for a while. This cold... It's brutal.
He downs one mug, and fills another while patting Dru on the head.
Good bear. Any animal that'll drink the holy water is ok by me, his ample combat skills and loyalty notwithstanding. So, to go ahead and address the elephant in the campsite, I'm going to hazard a guess that Izoze is either at the Lodge, or someone there knows where. I think the Lodge is our best best for a destination.
Nodding his head, he turns his head to face Rikael, "Indeed, it would seem we have little choice in the matter. We'll have to roust Rhokar and his men from the place if nothing else."
He takes a mouthful of ale before standing, "Dru and I'll take first watch."
Calling for the bear to join him, Sildur moves away from the fire to watch the trail behind them and take circuits around the camp every half hour or so until he is relieved.
Clearly enjoying the attention, Dru licks at Rikael's hand as the swordsman pats him.
With clear reluctance he stands to follow Sildur, taking a final lick at the now empty bowl before leaving the fire's warmth.
The bandit lets out some extra information before he is loosed toward town. "The lodge is just up the trail a small ways. Once you crest that rise, it should be easy to see."
As the gear and belongings of the bandits are captured, you find that they each have a shortsword, a shortbow, a buckler, a suit of padded armor , plus a grand total of 42 gold pieces and 24 silver pieces.
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Agatha looks at the departing bandits, and turns to Sturion Are you sure about this. Those men could cause great harm now, and on your head lies the responsibility. Ah, it's to late now anyway.
She gestures towards them.
It may be we will find much evil down the path we walk, Sturion. Will you spare that too, if it yields and asks nicely, sending it on its way.? What if you capture that which took your family from you? Will you treat it as mercifully?
She looks at the dwarf, concern on her face. Not all decisions are either clean as white snow, or black as darkess night. Think on it.
Agatha moves about then, helping the frostbitten to warm themselves. As you notice, the cold little bothers her.