The ranger moves 30' closer to the party and fires again.
Surprise round.
No action, was surprised by the arrow.
Round 1, Thomas whips up the sling, and fires the bullet at the oncoming creature then starts to back up rapidly loading the sling with another bullet.
Hadin readies himself for the dog's attack, putting himself between them and the young woman
Tyanos while in the back takes aim and fires at the nearest enemy.
Tyanos reloads and fires again at the nearest enemy.
Now is when I must prove myself.
Wetscale ran to the front, standing beside Hadin, ready to retaliate if the creatures were to attack.
Round 1 Wrap Up
With another thwip of his bow, Den launches another arrow at the creature. Despite not being able to see it very clearly, he hears the sound of it yelping. With a soft thud, the grasses in that location stop moving.
Thomas and Tyanos, their weapons already drawn and readied, take careful aim at the other creature as it rushes towards them. Despite carefully aiming his sling, Thomas' bullet impacts a dead tree stump buried in the brush, bounding off harmlessly and missing its target. Tyanos, however, through stroke of luck or otherwise, grazes his crossbow bolt just beyond said stump. With another yip of pain, he knows his aim was true.
The creature, slowing slightly from the damage inflicted, turns in the grasses and rushes towards the nearest threat - charging straight at Hadin. Hadin hardly has time to focus his eyes as the beast leaps out of the brush, its toothy maw wide open.
Hadin swings his flail, but is caught off guard by the speed of the creature. Just as it reaches him, about to close its jaws around Hadin's arm, Wetscale dashes forward with a quick strike at the creature's center mass, knocking it both off balance and out cold.
The field falls silent, with only the wind and your breathing to break the silence. No more creatures rush forward to attack you.
Thomas looks over at the thing that just tried to eat Hadin. Well that was lively.
Anyone hurt?
He then looks around to see if anything else is bouncing around.
Shall we go see about those in the house?
"Lively indeed," Karina says. "I don't see that this has anything to do with our charter, but I guess it won't hurt to build some good will with the commons."
Wetscale took pity on the animals - he was often treated as a beast himself. Though the blunt of his arm knocked out the creature, he saw no need to slaughter it. He looked to Hadin to ensure his wholeness. "So many dangers come quickly."
The lizardfolk nodded to the cleric's suggestion, but he was no appraiser of abodes - he let someone else take point.
We shall see into the house if there is anyone to save. Be careful, there may be other foes.
Hadin walks towards the house
Tyanos stays where he is reloading his crossbow and staying alert. He would have liked to move on. If these creatures were scavengers then more would come, with added fresh meat their was more of a reason now then before. Southern lands had a lot more life to them compared to the north, granted that meant less dangerous predators yet many more and greater ones when a feast was laid.
Hadin leads the group towards the rubble of the homestead while a few of the others hang back, still wary of what may lay inside.
Pushing past the overgrown fields, Hadin steps out in front of the home and immediately recognizes the rubble pile for what it is. A man, beaten and bloodied, laying dead and motionless. Half-covered by his large, furred cloak, it is difficult to say exactly what killed the man, but it is certain that the creatures had been picking at him. Bits of meat hang loose from the man's arm, chewed.
Looking past the man, you can already see at least one more body slumped into a pile - this one far more charred.
Saving the beasts for later Dendarial moves to the house with Hadin, bow ready. When the bodies are discovered he says. Help me uncover them more completely so I can inspect their wounds. He then proceeds to try to determine the cause of death and how long ago they died.
Later, after the search of the cabin and burial of the dead he moves to the creatures and begins to skin them. Can anyone tell me what these things were? I do not like to waste meat, but I would not want to eat the flesh of a sentiment.
Thomas comes forward on the request to help.
These people look like they had a hard way to go.
Tyanos will inspect the bodies and see what the man was holding. Using his dagger to pry it open.
Dendarial, Thomas, and Tyanos set about the rather gruesome task of turning the man over and inspecting him. It is immediately apparent that this one died violently. A trio of stab wounds have punched through his chest, and a large gash has disfigured half of his face. Despite the wounds and bloodstains, he certainly looks the part of a woodsman or hunter, complete with the bushy beard and drab colors.
A cursory inspection reveals absolutely no valuables on the man's person - nothing so much as a dagger. Dendarial sets the man's body back down and stands, but catches his foot on the man's boot. To his surprise, a small spinel gemstone - poorly cut, but still somewhat lustrous - tumbles out.
Working the man's palm open, Tyanos finds an envelope, crushed and spotted with blood. The outside of it reads "To Lord Mayor Sellemius." There is no seal, though it appears no one has bothered to open the envelope.
Thomas leads the way on inspecting the second body, a mostly-burnt man. Bearing less wounds than the other, his scalp shows signs of heavy blunt forces impacting it. Dried blood in the charred hair attests to the same. Another lump by the fireplace looks to be a woman, in a similar condition. Again, neither of them appears to have anything on their person.
Looks like these 2 where the farmers here. I don't know who killed them, but they used a club, or something similar Thomas mentions.
I say we pause, and give them a proper burial
This was no fight, more a slaughter. Wetscale cocked his head at the paper. "What does it say?" His vocabulary was limited as was his reading speed, so he hoped they would read it aloud.
"When you are finished with it, Tyanos, I'd like to see that letter," Karina says.
Tyanos reads the letter aloud.
I guess the dog's masters did it, as the dogs couldn't possibly attack with clubs.I'll check for some tracks outside, after we bury them, of course.
From the mouth of Tyanos:
"Dear Sir Lord Mayor,
This is the second missive I've sent you in as many weeks, and you have yet to reply. As I so clearly stated in my first letter, there have been a great number of bandits plaguing my stretch of the South Rostland Road. I implore you to send a If you truly protect these lands as you so claim, send the damned guard!
Regards
Oleg Leveton"
Meanwhile, Hadin tries his best to find any indication of who committed this terrible act and where they might have gone, but finds nothing.
I wonder if this Oleg in the missive is the same as the one that handles the trading post we are bound for?
With that, Thomas starts looking for a shovel in the farm house, in order to start digging a grave.
We should take Oleg's letter back to him. He will be disappointed that the letter did not get though and likely also disappointed that we are not the damned guard. With that Dendarial moves outside the confines of the burned hut and finds a suitable place to dig. He begins digging three graves.
Later he attends to skinning the beasts.
Tyanos moves a little distance away to cast a minor spell of cleaning on himself and his equipment. He did not want any filth on his person or goods. Frist impressions and what not, the stink of death was hard to forget after all. Returning to the others shortly.
"I would say once we are done here we move on. I would rather not be forced to camp out in the open. Bandits will be drawn to us if they are the ones who committed these acts."
Doesn't our charter state that we have to deal with the bandits Tyanos?
Thomas then finishes off the burial, and cleans himself off.
I can only hope they wander by. the ranger says with vengeance in his voice. You get the feeling that he has hunted bandits before.
Before leaving the area Dendarial walks a large circle around the ruined house looking for tracks.
Tyanos gives the two elven blooded a look of displeasure.
"How is making ourselves a target for ambush dealing with bandits? Do you know their number, their resources, or their methods? Looking for a fight and being forced to fight are two different things. If we encounter them and they prove unrepentant then so be it. But beware a bandit by choice and a bandit of necessity are two very different breeds. I do not believe myself so great to equal the former and would rather encounter the latter. By all accounts these people met willing bandits, as I see not a bit of the enemy. These were not desperate men but killers. I do not desire to meet a group of practiced killers on even or unfavorable ground. So if you want that heart of yours to beat longer then use that which rest above it for thinking my friends."
He walks back to Phil, guiding him along. Their are few rules out in the wilds and he knew them well. Bloody bandits were like packs of rabid dogs, only smarter. He was not going to risk lives when he did not need to, including his own.
Tyanos, where did I say, I was hoping that they came along?
I agree that knowing how they will act is important.
And yes, if they fall under the catagory of being bandits by necessity as opposed to choice, then there is a hope of redemption for them.
For the latter, we will soon have to deal with them, as they are preying on the weak and helpless.
Thomas then goes and unties Sae, and brings him back to the house to mount up.
The ranger's mood is sour as he does what must be done. Perhaps you have not read the charter you signed. Bandits are to be given the rope or the sword. The charter does not call for mercy. As as for practiced killers, know that you travel with one.
Thomas looks over at Dendarial
Dendarial, I have read the charter, and it just says that we have to deal with them.
Maybe we could come to a compromise. Those that join the bandit lifestyle by choice, will be given the rope or blade I am not disputing that as those are the ones that will cause the most damage in the long term.
But what of those that became a bandit to survive or were forced into it by others.
Should they also be given rope or blade?
Or the hope of redemption, but if they backslide, there is still the rope or blade.
He gives a heavy sigh at the two. Seemed they wanted to match words with a merchant. So be it.
"Very well allow me to correct myself. The charter states our primary charge and right to explore and travel with in these lands. While they imply that we strive against banditry and unlawful behavior they do not command it. Such it is left up to our discretion, more so it states unrepentant banditry which brings it to my earlier point of that difference between bandit types. Bandits willing to repent are not subject to the sword or rope and so our discretion is once more implied to alternative punishments. It is on the other hand unlawful behavior to give a blanket judgment to all assumed criminals without due cause. There by violating the terms of the very charter you hold. As for any talk of signing, the charter is assigned not signed by. As such it is in no way binding, more a license then a contract."
He lets out a breath. His mood growing dark as the ashes of the burnt house by the moment.
"Now if we are done waxing your skills upon me and picking through words like crows on a dead horse. I intend to make it to Olegs to trade and then explore these lands. I don't seek out problems, I only deal with those that find their way to me."
Clearly Tyanos is annoyed at this point. His voice having grown some how deeper as he spoke rather then higher as was the norm.
Tyanos Thomas sighs By Iomedae’s grace I did not intend for our words to cause insult. If anything, I am actually one that wishes that we would not have to try these bandits and that we could just deal with them as we come across them.
Wetscale winces at Dendarial's reminder: I am a killer too.
Though a lot of words were thrown about - too many too quickly for Wetscale to process fully in time - he got the gist of the argument. Their argument gave him time to formulate his own two coppers. "If we make a name as the hunters instead of the hunted, they will leave us be."
He saw Tyanos cleaning himself and wished he could do the same. For now, he just wished to leave this place. Not one to hurt his position with the thus-far accepting group, however, he awaited their movement.
Once on the road again Dendarial finds himself walking beside Wetscale and speaks softly. That was a fine strike against that cat creature. he compliments. Where did you learn to fight without weapons?
There is little more that can be done sans prayer for the dead. The group prepares to dig a trio of graves, unable to put so much as a name on a headstone. Before doing anything, however, Dendarial proceeds to skin the dead animals, not wanting their deaths to be in vain.
Carefully cutting away the good, undamaged portions of the pelt, Dendarial makes relatively quick work of the skinning. Though thylacines are not known for their particularly valuable pelts, these two will probably still fetch something from a reasonable trader.
Perhaps it was the grim task of digging three graves that set the group so on edge. Irregardless of the cause, a heated argument rose as they quickly abandoned the site of the murders. Karina, somewhat appalled by the sights of it all, remained rather quiet through everything. As they leave, Dendarial makes a quick search of the area for any signs of tracks.
Eventually, the argument finally settles down as the road grows longer behind them. It is getting late in the day, and there are few hours left to travel easily upon the road. Despite the group's own misgivings about camping in the open, it may well be time to consider the options.
Having thought about it, Hadin finally speaks
I'm not that confortable myself about putting bandits to the sword. Erastil teaches us more humane values. Nevertheless, he is ever vigilant against threats to the community, be it storms, droughts, wild beasts or bandits. For those wrongdoers who don't want to amend their ways, I'm afraid we won't have much choice, unfortunatly. If we let them go, even under supervision, and they escape and killed and maimed anyone, the fault will be ours. There is probably more bandits and brigands than the six of us in theses untamed lands, and we can't be behind every one. I still hope than a few of these outlaws can be redeemed, of course, but i'm aware than there will be only a few.
He sighs
Still, I have never killed anyone.And I'm not anxious to begin.I try to protect other from harm, to help them in their time of troubles. I'm not a hangman or an executioner.
Dendarial points out the tracks and again where they veer away. Looks like a few men and one horse. The stole the livestock from those poor folks back there too.
At Hadin's comments Dendarial nods his understanding. Finally he asks What man will not pretend to repent when we have the better of him? Who here will judge a true heart from a false one? Even if a man honestly repents from a crime there is still justice to be served and we have no justice system or jails to punish the wrong doer. I will offer to not kill men who have surrendered and are obedient, unless the consensus is that they be put to death. But, also do not ask me to ask men who raise arms against me to surrender before I put them down. Is this acceptable to the group? He is awkward about it but Den is trying to find common ground for unity with the group.
I am also neither hangman nor executioner. Thomas muses. However, you are right Hadin, for those that wish to ammend their ways, at least deserve the chance.
As for those that will not, I am afraid that we will have to put them to the sword. As much as we will not like it.
Dendarial, it seems to be getting late, can you seem to find us a place to safely camp? As for the tracks, can you figure about how long ago?
The reptile declined to add the the quarter or kill debate, though he did respond to the hunter's inquiry of his background. "Gorum's followers wanted someone to practice fighting with. It upset many I did not use their holy steel, but I could learn from one or two that fought without some."
Internally, Wetscale knew many had looked at besting him as a sort of personal challenge; it made him feel more bullied than brazen.
Karina remains quiet during her new allies' squabbles, carefully cataloging in her mind the various traits of each of her companions. Wetscale, wise but poorly spoken. Dendarial, set in his ways and somewhat single minded. Hadin, well rounded, but lacking confidence. Thomas, seeking to be the redeemer, the diplomat. Tyanos, direct, cunning, charismatic. He is the one to watch out for.
The fate of common bandits does not concern her, as they a problem that can be dealt with by force, a problem that is, therefore, minor. "Real problems can't be dealt with by application of force alone," she thinks, "and that is where I must focus all my energy and talents."
Tyanos had said his peace on the subject and would not say more. He was no fool, cowards and con men alike would swear an oath to Abadar and the heavens if it would save their neck. But no man could flip his nature over night, bloody bandits give no quarter and think themselves more then they are. It is what makes them dangerous but it is also their weakness. Break them of their ego in a fight and they will change in time, those that fail to break will fall regardless of offered quarter or not. Desperate men do what they must to survive and if it means begging for their lives then they would do it gladly for often it is all they have. Still their were exceptions but such was life.
He shakes his head to dispel the musings and speaks on the subject of camp, which sadly he had been correct in warning earlier.
"I rather not risk the animals in the dark. When we make camp I will be among the first to rest. In case it is not apparent my eyes work well in the dark may as well take advantage of them during the watch."
As the group walks the ranger takes note of the setting sun. We did the right thing back at that burned farm, but it used too much daylight. We need to camp. I am sorry that I could find no better place than along the road here. My heard is heavy with the deaths of that family.
We will need watches. Acio and I will take the second watch. We need at least two for the first and two more for the third. With that he begins to set up camp.
"I will take first watch," Karina says. She ties her mule to a tree, sits on a nearby rock and plays a lively tune on her lute while the others prepare a fire and cook the rabbit Acio caught earlier in the day.
She puts away the lute to eat, and tries to stay awake for the first few hours after everyone falls to sleep.
"I am not tired yet. I will watch with the lady."
No stranger to late nights. Wetscale's eyes and ears remained alert.
Despite Dendarial's best efforts, the South Rostland Plains offer little in the form of shelter. The best he can do is a small dirt clearing, with few weeds and bushes to stop you from setting up tents or bedrolls. A pair of trees flank it, their shadows long in the setting sun's light.
As the lovely sounds of Karina's music fade away into the night, the adventurers settle in for sleep while Wetscale joins Karina for the first watch. Though they jump at a few shadows and movement, nothing larger than a fox cares to investigate the camp. As they grow weary, they switch watches with Dendarial and his loyal companion. Moon high above, Dendarial trusts in Acio's watchful eyes. She, fortunately, sees no danger. As dawn approaches, the final two watchmen take Dendarial's place.
Despite encountering no danger, they are treated to a picturesque sunrise across the Rostlands. The sky blossoms with a fantastic display of color. Slowly the world, along with the brave heroes venturing to Oleg's Trading Post, wake.