Svetlana pauses, inclining her head slightly out of curiosity. After a moment, she says, "Sorry, hon. Don't think we have none of those in stock. Most folks round here use old fashioned bows. Pretty sure I've got a spare lying around, if'n you want it."
Hearing Svetlana's response to Karina, Thomas asks Are these long bows Milady? If so, may I avail myself to one of them and some arrows?
She shrugs. "I'd have to check, but I think it was rather big. I don't know much 'bout them sorts of things." Svetland grins, sneaking a sidelong glance at her husband. "Oleg likes to think he does, though. I reckon he ain't ever so much as drawn a bow. Doesn't stop him from thinking he could stop an oncoming army, ha!"
Lifting the proffered meat, she laughs. "Let me just put this away and I'll bring y'all everything that looks like it'd be handy for putting out an eye or two." With another wink, she disappears into her home.
After a good five minutes, Svetlana returns, with a bow hung over her shoulders, two quivers hanging off her back, and a trio of javelins in her arms. "I think I got it all... Ah, a little help, if'n ya don't mind, fellas?"
Thomas goes over to help Svetlana with the weapons.
Appreciated Milady. as he helps take the weapons out of her hands.
on the roof, Hadin asks
Do you need other things done, Oleg, while we're at it?
Thomas goes over to help Svetlana with the weapons.
Appreciated Milady. as he helps take the weapons out of her hands.
Oleg raises an eyebrow and gives a short chortle. "Hell, if'n you're working for free, I got plenty for ya to do. But let's worry about this here roof first, and then our uninvited guests, yeah?"
Below, Svetlana heaves a sigh of relief as the armament is taken quite literally off her hands. "You have my thanks," she says with a pat on Thomas' shoulder. She turns to Karina, shrugging an apology. "Sorry, hon. That's all I've got available in the back. Less you care to toss fruits at 'em."
"I guess I'll take the javelins, though I still am not entirely sure why we're going to ambush armed bandits," Karina says, unable to hide the fact that she's obviously annoyed.
My lady Karina, I would think that they fall under the catagory of unrepenantant bandits.
Thus we will have to do something about them in the long run.
Can you use this? Thomas offers her the use of a sling and several bullet.
I'm always ready to help those in need,in all or big ways. Erastil,which I worship and pray to, teaches us to be useful to others.But I must say I'm not confortable with speaking of ... well.. you know... the first word you said.No offense meant, of course.That said, you're right, let's finish this roof!
More aligned with Karina here, Wetscale sought to change the topic. "I can help out with the roof if you need me to move things around." He may have been unskilled, but another hand or two never hurt a project.
"It merely seems abjectly foolhardy to me that we are attacking an unknown enemy without gathering any information whatsoever as to the state of their training, equipment, or resources," Karina says. "As to the sling, I suppose it will do us more good if I use it, while you use that bow."
Tyanos well aware of his shortcomings physically does not even bother to offer help. He would be more in the way then anything else, as to the subject of attacking the bandits.
"If I may be blunt, bandits are no fools more so in groups. Even if we avoided them and they bleed Oleg again without it ending up like that farm we came by. They will notice our group exploring the region in sort order. Bandits don't survive in the forest by being city folk, more so if they are bandits by choice. Unless we go through great pains and a good deal of time our presence will be noticed. Olegs is the only place to resupply and safely rest. They will ether destroy it, ambush us here in turn, or make it clear to Oleg that dealing with us is bad for him. More so all sense of surprise is lost. They will be alert, well armed, and increased in number. Right now they think Oleg a beaten dog, which is why their force grew smaller overtime as we were told. Anything at all hints otherwise and they become more dangerous and better prepared."
He yawns a bit from his full belly and thinking when would be the best time to deal with Oleg concerning his goods, before continuing.
"I was against hunting down a raiding party because that had to many unknowns and we had a choice. This situation is different, they are coming here. We have no choice in that matter. They will most likely be six compared to the times before when they had even more men, if alerted we will be dealing with greater numbers without the advantage of surprise. Simply put this is the best chance we will get. Letting it slip by will make things worse all around later. Of that I am sure of."
Maybe these Brevoy women were softer then Ulfen women. Seemed to him she was more fearful then practical, then again southern women were strange so he could be wrong.
Lady Karina, we are not attacking them, they are attacking us, and those under our protection. Therefore we have the right of self defence. Thomas offers.
I do agree with Tyranos, if we don't deal with this group now, it will be worse in the long run for us.
Dendarial busies himself with studying to fortifications and generally straitening the place up. He will move a few things around in the towers to allow people there to take full cover from anyone on the ground but work to keep everything looking natural.
When the discussion of what to do about the bandits come up again Dendarial only notes that this group is very likely the same that murdered the family at the other farm. And if they are not the same, they have thrown in with that lot. They will not surrender to us, and to attempt parley would give away our advantage of surprise and likely allow them to alert their base camp.
Tyanos feels the need to clarify it yet again concerning surrender.
"Oh I for one will not be announcing our presence. Once they are inside and the doors close behind them. Their fair game, but if one or more throws down their weapons and pleads for mercy at any point. Then I am willing to give it. Not only because I am against needless slaughter, as that makes you no different then the bandits in my book, but because a cornered man fights all the harder with nothing to lose. If we are successful then word will get out sooner or later. I would rather those words not tell of heartless killers who give no quarter. That would only solidify the bandits in the area against us. The last thing we want, as frankly that would be the end of us."
Practical approach Tyanos comments Thomas If they throw down arms and ask for quarter we should give it.
I for one, don't think that Iomedae would like me if I was a heartless killer.
By Iomedae's grace, once the doors are shut, they should give. If not may the shafts fall where they may
Tyanos's words persuaded Wetscale of the motive, but he still disliked bloodying his claws on people; it made him feel like he looked, and that simply wasn't him.
He made off to help with the roof as soon as was feasible.
The plan was cemented, then. The members of the Restov Expeditionary Charter would assist Oleg and his wife in the defense of their home. While it technically weren't none of their problem, they were great folks, those Charter signifiers. They weren't about to sit by and let ol' Oleg perish before 'em. Now, as the sun rose on the next day, they lay in wait, ready for the first battle of the many, many more to come...
-------------------------------------------
As the party bustled about, making preparations for war or helping repair damage that was already done, the sun finally set over the Greenbelt. As the light of day died and the cool blackness of night overtook them, Svetlana showed the guests to their newly repaired room.
The bunkhouse was as modest inside as it was from the outside, little more than a series of eight beds arranged approximately evenly around the room. Each had an accompanying footlocker beside it, and plenty of heavy woolen blankets lay atop a rather stiff-looking mattress. "Sorry we can't do y'all none better than this," said Svetlana with her usual smile. "Oleg's been wanting to build a better place for travelers to stay, but then we had all them problems with... well, you know. Let me know if there's anything y'all need." She slinks out, letting you all get some much needed rest. The beds are certainly not the most comfortable in the world, but they are still worlds better than laying on the ground.
An hour or so before sunrise, Oleg knocks on the door before letting himself in. "It's time, strangers. Let's see if you've got the mettle ya look like ya do."
He waits until everyone looks half-awake, then adds: "If'n we die, I'm haunting yer asses for an eternity. Just so's ya know."
After a good night sleep-Hadin having slept in direst commodities than a poor bed-the young man awokes and stretches.
Don't forget there is a lady here.
He does his best to put his clothes on while inside the bed, and then rises as quickly as possible, walking to the kitchen
Do you need some help, miss Svetlana? I'm no cook, but at least I can dress the table or fetch some water. Whatever you need, don't be afraid to ask.
Helping Oleg and Svetlana with the morning chores, Hadin tries to puzzle a strategy
Dendarial, I think it might be best if you find a high position so you can get a clear line of fire, as anyone using a ranged weapon. Maybe Thomas and Wetscale could close the doors after the bandits enter in? I will confront them. How do the bandits act, usually, Oleg? Do you wait for them inside or outside your home? When they come into your yard, just turn and run to your home, I will get in their way .But we should prepare something to block the door right after you enter the safety of your house. We don't want you or Svetlana to be hurt. We'll try to get their leader down as quickly as possible.
Tyanos had removed most of his items on his person before going to sleep but not his clothes. Having sprawled out on the bed shortly after. He showed no signs of discomfort or uncleanliness despite having slept in such a state. Without bothering with light he replaced his items back on his person and made his way outside to stretch and look things over one last time, using a minor spell to refresh himself and his clothes to keep both clean and in good order yet again. Upon hearing Hadin he shakes his head slightly, more to get rid of the last bits of sleep really.
"Bandits don't expect anyone to be here. Best keep it that way, we don't want anyone out in the open save Oleg. Even one other person may put them on guard. While I doubt they will bother chasing Oleg if their being shot at, if your so concerned then move a pile of hey or blankets near the door to his house and hide in there. When he starts running towards it, you run towards the bandits."
He finishes with a yawn.
"Oh and I will be hiding on the west side of the gate. Think that will give me a good view."
Thomas stretches and gets up.
He then goes and feeds his horse, and comes back in time to hear Hadins suggestion on closing the door.
Hadin, I could close one of the doors. But I think that we were intending those dressed and ready for fighting in close to close the doors.
I will be close, but I wish to not be in melee
Sure, I don't intend to be in plain view, Tyranos. The bandits would be suspicious, at least. I just want to protect Oleg and Svetlana.Someone must be ready to cut the outlaws path to the house, that's all I'm saying. Maybe Karina should stay with Svetlana inside the house, to better protect her?
We need all hands in this fight Hadin. I am fine with Karina between the bandits and Svetlana but no one on the team needs to plan to sit this out. That could cost everyone their lives.
As you speak, Svetlana comes up behind Hadin and taps him on the shoulder with something heavy. He turns to see her brandishing a broom like a quarterstaff and a sleepy grin on her face. "I appreciate the sentiment, hon, but I'm not that helpless. After all, I deal with my husband every day!"
Oleg grumbles.
"I hate to ruin the mood in here, but are y'all planning to fight on empty stomachs? I've got a country breakfast ready, if'n ya want it," she adds, gesturing back towards the tables with her broom-staff. A pot of lukewarm gruel sits atop it, with a hearty pitcher of fresh water. It doesn't look quite as good as dinner, but at least it smells decent. Oleg wastes no time, stomping over and sitting himself before a bowl of food.
How do the bandits act, usually, Oleg? Do you wait for them inside or outside your home?
Between mouthfuls of food, the sleep-deprived and overly stressed man grunts a response to Hadin's earlier question. "The bandits come here like they own the place. Either I open up the door faster than a Calistran's pants, or they torch the place. Then they come in, take everything, harass us a bit, and leave." He spits. "Sometimes the 'bit' is more like a 'lot'. I waits for 'em right over there," he points, "by the storage pen. Ain't much in there now. They'll be real happy, I'm sure. Earn myself some extra beatings."
Thomas sits down at the table Thank you lady Svetlana
So they would not think anything amiss if the gate was open, when they come?
In that case, we use their lazyness against them.
Leaving the final details to others, the ranger gets a bowl of food and, thanking the cook, takes it with him to watch the sun rise atop the tower he has staked out.
Tyanos finishes his meal quickly.
"No offense miss but you would serve as a distraction to both Oleg and Hadin. That would do more harm then good. Now if anyone needs me I will be hiding in my spot with a ready crossbow and light finger. Oh and one last time, as soon as the doors close with the last bandit inside the ambush begins. Best of luck to us all."
With that he is off.
After eating a very light meal, Karina gathers up the javelins and the sling and takes them to the top of the wall on the east side of the gate. Once there she kneels and prays, "Eternal Rose, please watch over me this day. Grant me the power to subdue my enemies without death, for death is the end of beauty." She then lies down on the platform running around the edge of the wall, waiting for her time to act.
Hadin rubs his shoulder playfully after the vicious, unexpected and tottaly uncalled for broom attack by Svetlana, then says with a more serious tone
You might not be totally helpless, Svetlana, but please, let's keep it safe. No one here wants to see you threatened by a bandit, and surely not your husband, who cares for you and cherishes you.
Hadin then eats his part of the breakfast, and prays to Erastil, using his artisan tools to cut a piece of wood as he waits for the bandits to come.
He's hiding behind one of the double doors of the entrance, ready to push it close.
Svetlana gives Hadin a weak smile. "I know, hon, I know. I'll stay safe - and keep my husband from making a fool of himself." Oleg, for his part, hardly even grumbled at this remark. Perhaps it struck a little too close to home. He stood, pushing away the last of his breakfast while Svetlana quickly sweeps it all up and away.
As she ducks into her home, Oleg heads towards the storage pens and leans himself against its rickety walls with a heavy sigh. "Let's get this show on the road, then."
With the right door open, Wetscale and Hadin take cover behind it - peering out from the cracks between it and the wall, and it and the guesthouse. The others took cover atop the walls, ducking low beneath the paltry battlements and laying still in the dim morning light. Like clockwork, the sun rose in earnest, and a group of men appeared out of the distant southern treeline.
They rode up, six horses among the four of them, hooting and hollering as they approached the walls. The leader - an elf, as the Levetons had said - calls out with a mocking tone. Without any hesitation they rode through the gates, circling their horses in the open market yard of the trading post. Oleg stood tall and stubborn, but he was clearly out of his element.
"Just git what ya want and git out," he spat. The elf regarded him with a twisted smile.
"We'll do just that, good friend." The three bandits dismounted, though their leader stayed atop his horse. He sat in the saddle like a king, bow across his lap. Of the others, a single bandit stood watch with a torch and blade while the others began to load what few furs lay in the market stall onto the spare horses. "A paltry load, dis is..."
As thomas quietly stands, he glances over the wall.
Iomedae give us the strength to defeat these miscreats
He then readies the borrowed longbow.
As the bandits approach and are still well out of bow shot Acio notes their presence on the road and takes flight, signaling any in the keep that the time is now. She stays high for now but will come a little lower in the surprise round to allow her to dive and attack if called for.
Tyanos readies his crossbow to fire at the elf as soon as the doors close.
Wetscale was no stranger to hiding, but his use as a hunting "dog" also had its uses here. He knew the drill: Wait until the arrows had been loosed, then charge in for the pounce.
The smug leader needed to be de-saddled by claw, he felt. And hopefully they won't hit the horses - they've done nothing wrong.
Hadin closes the door behind the bandits, as cautiously and stealthily as possible
The gate closes and Tyanos fires.
As the doors swing closed and her allies first attacks fly toward the enemies, Karina stands and shouts, "Lay down your arms and be spared death! Resist and, in the name of the Swordlords of Restov, we will slay you!"
The ranger steps from total cover and looses an arrow at the human closest to the elf
Hadin waits for the bandits to be fully occupied before slowly pushing the gate closed behind them. Ever so carefully, the door creeps closed - the Erastadin on edge, praying it wouldn't creak loud enough to catch their attention until...
With a final shove, the heavy wooden door closes fully, needing only a firm crossbar to lock it in place. With a signal, the rangers atop the walls throw off their camouflage and jump to their feet.
"Lay down your arms and be spared death! Resist and, in the name of the Swordlords of Restov, we will slay you!"
One of the bandits with a load of furs stops in his tracks, dropping the goods to his feet in shock. "Oi, boss- maybe we should..."
The elf sneered, spat, and raised his bow. "If you think of running, Kressle will cut you down. Assuming I don't first!" As the boss reached for an arrow, the adventurers atop the wall loosed their arrows. Tyanos's bolt went wide as the elven leader grabbed the reins of his mount, turning it around. Dendarial, however, hits his mark - putting an arrow halfway into the shoulder of the torch-wielding human.
As a lizard charged out from the shadows of the bunkhouse, the elf gripped the reins of his bucking horse - and was unable to evade Wetscale's pointed claws. The elf yelps with pain, then steals a glance towards Oleg - who's already running at full speed for his home.
"Clever dog found some friends!"
Saerin 10/18
TorchBandit 4/9
Bandit2 9/9
Bandit3 9/9
Round 1
As though unsure of themselves, the trio of bandits look to each other and then to their leader. Still mounted and twice as angry, the unarmed duo grab for their weapons. While one of them takes off after Oleg, his sword held high, the other ducks into the cover of the market stall with a rather ramshackle looking crossbow. He peers up and over the edge of it, then fires at the scariest looking target - Dendarial.
The bolt lands true, punching nearly all the way through Dendarial's abdomen. It takes all of the elf's might to keep from doubling over in pain.
The torch-bearer, mere feet away from Wetscale, looks somewhat terrified. He waves the torch as though trying to swat a few annoying gnats. "Back, beast!" he hollers, deciding to try and club the lizard over the head. Wetscale moves to dodge, but is a second too late...
The elf spurs his mount, driving it forward and away from the melee that had erupted before him. He looks towards the lone bandit chasing Oleg, spitting orders. "Leave the cur! Kill these fools first!"
About two dozen feet away, at the far end of the market yard, he slows his mount and turns, arrow nocked. With a vicious glint in his eye, he spots the lonely lady atop the wall. "Brave words, lass. Also, your last!" He lets his arrow fly the long distance - and still manages to connect. It punches through Karina's armor and sticks firmly into her upper arm.
Concentrating to keep fighting despite the pain Dendarial fires again at the same target but the wound is too much for him. After firing he is forced to step back into cover.
Round 1
Thomas from cover fires at the boss man.
Karina hurls a Javelin toward the Elf, but her arm wound throws her off balance, causing the spear to fall pathetically short. Karina then goes to ground, inspecting her wound.
Hadin uses his flail on the closest bandit, hoping to get one down quickly
This doesnt start good... Pray Erastil that the bandits don't win the battle!
Tyanos curses at the bandits counterattack, he had spoken caution for a reason. With a little prayer to Desna he chooses to let her decide his fate. He calls on the power in his blood, with a rush of wind in his ears he sends a glowing serpentine missile darting through the air at the leader.
The torch across the spine only served to steel the lizardfolk's resolve. He turned on the luminous assailant with both claws.