"My thanks Gwenifer. Seems today all of creation wanted me dead. As you can see, the ability to shift my form is a gift I have...as is being bested. Upon occasion."
"No need to thank me. That's what friends are for. Those creature were nasty though, weren't they. Ugh! Just look at my hair! If things get too crazy again, stay close. I do everything I can to make sure all my companions make it back safely."
Gwenifer pokes a corpse with a long stick.
"Damn. I had hoped it would just be the horse. But judging from the age of these bodies, it's probably not the cart driver we are looking for, although one of them is fresh, so it could be. Either these damn lizards have been using the road as a hunting ground or this group we are tracking has been feeding them victims. Neither possibility is good. When we get back to Linhaus, we need to alert the guard to hunt down the lizards that escaped so they don't menace this area further."
During the short rest, Gwenifer removes her armor and scrubs it thoroughly to get it clean and fixes up her hair and make up as best she can. She hums a tune to herself while she works. When the group is ready to go, she dons her armor again and follows the others.
Wraith is much more on her game this time, following the tracks expertly. It's a few miles before you see what you assume is your destination: up ahead, you can see a cave entrance in the side of a steep hill. Outside, you see a cart (without a horse), and about half of a second horseless cart that seems to have been disassembled and some of its parts taken.
There is no immediate sign of people or activity in the area, though you're still about 100 feet from the cave and the carts.
"I used to have a cart just like this! I had to leave it behind..." Teo trails off mid sentence. "I think we need to investigate though. Those wagons have all kinds of hidey holes to stash little bags of gold."
We also need to be cautious. We don't know who or what confiscated these wagons, nor how many of them are there. Until we have more information, we need to assume the worst. Who else will scout the area with me?
"I'd love to accompany you but I'm afraid stealth is not forte. I am like a sun crossing a clear blue sky. None can miss my brilliance as I pass. For your sakes, I shall resist the urge to shout profanities into the cave entrance."
"I can scout with you." Finlogan replies to Wraith.
Naia is subdued on the trek, and seems somewhat shaken. She perks up somewhat at the sighting of the carts.
"If you like, I could transform into a dog again and scout inside?"
"As long as the dog won't draw attention to us, Lady Tam. I believe Wraith just wants to see what's the layout. We won't get too far ahead of everyone, right?" Finlogan replies.
Naia nods.
"I am merely thinking perhaps a stray dog will draw no particular attention besides being a stray ...dog. Let us see what you and our dusky companion discover first.."
Gwenifer draws her longbow and silently aims it at the entrance just in case trouble starts.
Wraith nods at Finlogan. We will not go far.
When her scouting companion is ready and the others settled in to wait, Wraith slips into the shadows and creeps forward.
Finlogan follows the elf-maid forward.
Creeping forward like two arms of a shadow, Wraith and Finlogan approach the cave entrance.
The first thing you notice is actually outside the cave: that "half-wagon" appears to have no serious damage to its parts; rather, it looks as though it was intentionally disassembled and some of its pieces removed.
The cave has an entryway several feet deep before opening into a larger area. You hide in the entryway and look around. The main chamber seems to open mostly to the right, extending well beyond your view. The left wall, which you can see, is lined with crates and barrels, some open and some closed. Atop the closed containers are stacks of foodstuffs and general living supplies.
From beyond your view to the right, you can see the glow of lanterns—several, you'd guess. You hear the sound of pens on paper atop wooden surfaces, and not much else besides the occasional soft noise of someone shifting position or clearing their throat.
You dare not creep any closer, lest you round the corner and be seen, but from the sounds of pens and the shadows cast by the lamplight you would estimate around half a dozen people are in there.
You slink away and rejoin the group, feeling confident that the cave's occupants never knew you were there.
Finlogan explains what he and Wraith found, "that "half-wagon" appears to have no serious damage to its parts; rather, it looks as though it was intentionally disassembled and some of its pieces removed.
The cave has an entryway several feet deep before opening into a larger area. We hid in the entryway and looked around. The main chamber seems to open mostly to the right, extending well beyond our view. The left wall, which we could see, is lined with crates and barrels, some open and some closed. Atop the closed containers are stacks of foodstuffs and general living supplies.
From beyond our view to the right, we could see the glow of lanterns—several, we'd guess. We heard the sound of pens on paper atop wooden surfaces, and not much else besides the occasional soft noise of someone shifting position or clearing their throat.
We dared not creep any closer, lest we round the corner and be seen, but from the sounds of pens and the shadows cast by the lamplight we would estimate around half a dozen people are in there.
Now what to do? Maybe Wraith and I could hide by the mouth of the cave. You three could approach. If they don't hear you, you could attempt to take the cart to make enough noise. When they react, maybe flee a little to draw them out of the cave. Make sure to prepare some cover in case they have bows instead of running after you. Then, at the right moment, Wraith and I surprise them. Hopefully, they'll surrender. Otherwise, we fight. What do you think?"
I would prefer to wait outside, hidden, if we are attempting to draw them out. I fight better at range than hand to hand. Otherwise, your plan seems good.
"Well they definitely sound civilized so we should give them the option to speak before we attack. Most likely they're bandits but we don't know for sure."
"Finlogan's plan works for me. I'm sure I can move the intact cart myself. I can push it into the entrance and see how they react."
"If they can retreat back into the cave, then they probably won't surrender. I doubt I alone am intimidating enough for a half-dozen bandits to get them to surrender.
If they retreat back into the cave, then we have to go in after them like hunting badgers in their lair, which they might have fortified. They are certainly doing something with the wood of that cart."
"Do you think we should scout for a back door? If they retreat into the cave, I'd say smoke them out, but if they have another escape route, we may end up looking foolish."
"That's a good point, but it could be anywhere. How long do you want to spend looking?
Speaking of smoke, you could push the half cart into cave mouth and set it on fire. Maybe not the good cart, unless someone knows how to rebuid carts. Then, we could literally look for the smoke coming from a back door."
"I'm willing to spend as much time as it takes to be prepared. We aren't under any time constraint and knowing is half the battle. But I don't mind deferring to the group on a majority preference. Sending a burning cart into the entrance had crossed my mind as well. My only concern is we don't have any proof of them doing any misdeeds yet. I'd rather not complicate things by burning down a perfectly legal operation. I've been there before. Not that I think it is. I have a good feeling that they are deserving of facing justice, but I'd rather be sure."
Then let's see about locating a backdoor.
It takes a good long while, but you scour the rest of the area for other entrances. After an hour of fruitless searching, you become convinced that if there is a "back door", it's either very well hidden or very far away.
"Well I'm satisfied that we covered at least one of our bases. Shall we kick the hornet's nest and see what comes out?"
"What's the plan?" Finlogan asks looking for consensus.
"I think we can still work with your original plan, Finlogan. Our ranged allies can take up positions outside the entrance and those who prefer melee can use the cart for cover and ease it into the cave to attempt to get whoever is in there's attention."
Naia agrees.
"I'm happy to sit aside the entrance - I can either entangle them with vines or hit them with the thunderous ability...or, in succession, both!" The water elf looks to be calmer, or if anything, possibly even excited.
"I'm better served at waiting outside as well. I'm not strong enough to carry the cart and I'm not good with my dagger."
"I'll go hide by the cave then. Good luck to you all." Finlogan nods and sneaks toward the cave entrance.
"Very well." Gwenifer aligns the cart with the cave entrance then begins to push it forward.
"YOOHOO! Just your friendly neighborhood traveling entertainer. You in there! Is this how you treat a lady? Come out and introduce yourselves."
Wraith takes up a post behind cover where she can still see what's going on and easily pop out for a surprise shot.
Naia follows Wraith...
Once her teammates are in position, Gwenifer pushes the intact cart toward the cave entrance, though she discovers it's too wide to actually enter the cave with. She calls out to the cave's inhabitants, and waits a moment.
Presently, a somewhat apprehensive-looking dwarven woman rounds the bend and peeks over the cart quizzically at Gwen. She wears commoners' clothes of un-dyed cotton and cheap leather, plus an apron with ink stains on it.
"Um..." she begins hesitantly, "Can I help you?"
"Yes, you there. I think you can help me." Gwenifer leaps on top of the cart and swings her sword in the air to demonstrate her swordsmanship. "I am Gwen the Widower. Unless you've been living under a rock, I'm sure you've heard of me. But since you are working in this cave, perhaps you have been living under a rock. I'm here because I'm looking to expand my business. I don't know if you've noticed, but it has become extremely dangerous outside. I encountered these crazy tree lizards not too far from here. It looks like they've been killing travelers and their horses. In fact, I believe one of these wagons here belongs to one such traveler. I'd love to know how you came into its possession. Don't worry about the lizards though. I single-handily defeated the whole nest of them. Anyway, you obviously are not in charge. As a warrior of my caliber, I demand to speak to your leader. I will wait here while you get her. Don't keep me waiting long though." Gwenifer leaps back down off the cart and casually leans against it while she waits for a response.
The dwarven woman cocks her head quizzically. "I've heard the name, but why would you come out to a cave in the middle of nowhere to expand your business? That doesn't make any sense."
She begins to look a little fretful, and lowers her voice. "I think you should leave," she says in a tone of quiet pleading. "Please, just forget you ever found... me... here in this cave, and go about your business."
She gives you a look of worried pleading, then flinches as you hear another voice from inside the cave. "Now now, don't turn the fine lady away," says a male voice.
The source of the voice steps into view: a human man in a traveler's outfit, including a weathered cloak whose hood is pulled back to reveal a disheveled head of hair and a wrapping of bandages around his forehead and covering his right eye. His left eye is opened wide, and his mouth is spread into a broad, toothy smile.
He chuckles oddly through his teeth, and addresses Gwen. "I'm sure you have a good reason for showing up here, yes? Perhaps you're a buyer who's heard of our fine wares?" He puts both hands on the cart, leaning forward with his face directed squarely at Gwenifer, though his one good eye keeps darting around in every other direction except toward Gwen.
The dwarven woman starts to speak, but she's barely gone beyond inhaling before the man whips his head back toward her and nearly screams, "DON'T YOU HAVE WORK YOU SHOULD BE DOING?!" The woman scurries back into the part of the cave you can't see, and the man returns his sickly-smiling face to Gwen.
"Why don't you come in and browse? I'm sure you're just DYING to get your hands on our products... "
He shakes the cart abruptly, nearly knocking Gwenifer to the ground, then awaits a response.
Gwen is very pleased that these people claim to have heard of her. She honestly didn't think they would have...Unless they are bluffing her back.
Gwenifer stands straight. "Yes! Of course that is why I came. Your work is not as mysterious as you think it is. I would love to browse your wares."
Gwenifer stares at the cart between them and shrugs sheepishly. "But it would seem someone has blocked the entrance with this cart. Please be a gentleman and help me push it back out of the way."
She steps to the side and motions with her arms that he should push it forward.
You guys better have my back if I go in there, she thinks to herself. But if I'm lucky, I can lure him out.
"Yes," he replies, "I'm sure some wandering monk happened by this afternoon and decided to shove a cart into a cave when I wasn't looking." Nevertheless, the pushes the cart out, and in so doing comes face-to-face with Teo and Fin. He looks surprised for a moment, then turns his toothy, one-eyed smile back to Gwen and says, "Brought some friends, did you?"
He has most definitely taken notice of the fact that you're all armed and prepared-looking, but seems to be consciously choosing not to react to it.
"You seem to have mistaken me for a fool. Of course I brought friends. And now we're going to do some negotiations, Gwenifer style. SNEAK ATTACK!"
Gwenifer leaps onto the man and wraps her limbs around him like a crazed spider monkey.
Init
Teo pulls her crossbow. "Now fella, you need to be nicer to the dwarf lady or I'll part your hair but good."
Persuasion
"Right then, we've been charged to investigate banditry in this area. Now, we're going to go inspect the goods that you have in there. If we find any of the stolen goods, we'll be taking you to the authorities. If we don't find any, then Gwenifer here will apologize to you for handling you unwelcomingly. If anyone attacks us during our inspection... then, well, let's just say that you are being held hostage for the good behavior of any partners that you may have in the cave. Got it?" Finlogan asks for his comprehension of the situation.
Once the man sees the three of you at the cave entrance, Teo is quickest to act and aims her crossbow, telling him he'd better be nice to the dwarf lady.
Before anyone else can react, the man swings both arms in a wide arc (away from Finlogan, and toward Teo and Gwenifer). The nearby cart flies through the air in a comparable trajectory, crashing against the rocks with Teo and Gwen in between!
The cart shatters as it slams the ladies against the hillside, and poor Teo is knocked to the ground from the impact!
No sooner has the cart shattered than the man darts back into the cave, shouting, "They're going to kill us all! Defend your lives!"
Finlogan follows the weird guy into the cave drawing his shortswords. He attempts to stab the weird guy and shouts, "Wrong! We don't want to kill anyone! But, this guy just attacked us!"
Finlogan runs into the cave after the telekinetic mage, proclaiming innocence and then stabbing the man in the gut. Now beyond the entrance, he can see that the cave opens rather broadly to the right, forming a chamber a good 30-40 feet across.
Several low-sitting makeshift tables rest on the cave floor, seemingly made from about a cart and a half worth of repurposed wood. Loose straw serves as seat cushions for the eight people who had been sitting at the tables doing something with pens and paper. At the ends of the tables are stacks of books and papers. A few lanterns are scattered around the tabletops, and a couple of points on the walls currently bear the effects of light spells.
Gwenifer hustles into the cave after Fin and the mage, and grabs her target in a fierce hold.
Wraith, seeing her companions enter the cave, will move closer, still trying to stay hidden. Other than that, she's waiting for a better and clearly hostile target.
Naia moves into the cave swiftly after Gwen and Fin, and seeing Gwen lock the man in a hold threatens him by holding her outsplayed hands under his chin, very close to his face.
"Call your allies off or I splash your brains over the ceiling..."
The people in the cave scramble in a blur of disorganized movement! The dwarven woman you saw earlier stands to one side looking stunned, like she can't decide what to do. Someone else crawls under a table and shakes. Another teeters on the edge of panic while hastily rifling through a stack of papers as though desperately searching for something. Still another starts pounding on a table with his fists, as tears begin to trickle down his rage-twisted face.
One of the people picks up a piece of parchment and awkwardly reads aloud a series of magic words while also moving his hand in a deliberate but unpracticed motion. He finishes by pointing at Gwen, and three streaks of energy fly across the room toward her!
The blasts hit Gwenifer perfectly, and she slumps to the ground, releasing her hold on her victim! The man with the parchment gasps, and his face flickers between delight and horror.
The guy who cast the magic missile... The 'delight' half of his indecisive face seems to be hoping the crazy guy noticed the help, while the 'horror' half seems petrified at having just almost killed someone.
Finlogan yells to the weird guy's disciples, "We don't want to hurt you. But this guy just threw a cart on top of my friends, so we must subdue him."
Teo gets up and moves into the cavern and fires a bolt from her crossbow at the dwarf.
Attack
Damage