Speaking to Happs, Eduard seems unphased by the punishment. "Does the Stag Lord or do any of his followers cleave to a particular faith? I find all of these ritual trappings quite interesting."
Soren nods at the man's information.
I'm familiar with that general area. Thank you. Your information will be a great help to us. Now, get your rest.
Soren then makes his way to the rest of the group.
I know where the camp is, and Happs was cooperative enough to tell me where they have their guards, and also two ways to assault the camp. Of course, before we storm it, I'll sneak in and make sure he's right, but he should have made it much easier. It turns out, the Thorn River Camp south west from here, and we can follow the river right to it. It's barely a quarter mile from where the river first enters the forest from the grassland. We can either cross the grassland until we hit the river and enter that way or go a little more west than south into the forest, hit the river and follow it down that way.
I was thinking perhaps we could split in half, and take it from both ways. One main group of us assaults it directly, and a couple of us come from behind and lay down covering fire and pick off stragglers and other threats. Taking out the guards silently is going to be the hardest part if we do it that way.
Also, I think taking the leader alive is a must. I have a special set of arrows made for entangling and capturing prey alive. This Kessler woman should be able to tell us how to find this "Stag Lord". Taking him out would probably break the bandits in this area and go a long way to fulfilling the Charters.
What are you guy's thoughts? Any ideas or plans?
Happs shrugs his shoulders at Eduard's questions. "I ain't heard anything about who, if anyone, the Stag Lord worships. Most of the bandits are a mixed lot and there's no single deity taken place over any other."
He listens to the scout speak and waits until the man is finished to respond, Forget the leader. Any of the bandits caught alive will give us the information we need. We avoided attacking Happs and one of us almost died. Let's not make that mistake again. Put this woman down and the others may surrender. He frowns slightly, Do not sacrifice your safety, or the safety of your fellows to take one alive. If it happens, it happens. If not, we shall work with what we have.
A wry smile plays across his lips, replacing the frown, As to your plan, it is sound. But let's not commit before we have all the information. We'll see what we're up against and stay flexible. That way we can adapt if we find out we're wrong about anything.
As for how to get there, I believe we can leave that to you Soren. Unless someone else has any expertise to add? Alexander looks around the group.
Andrea shakes her head. I am afraid that I don't have any woodskill.
Radomir remains dispassionate as they maim the man's hand. This is Alexander's will. It is good. Alexander is the commander, his authority is absolute and not to be questioned. Still, when they speak of placing lives above taking captives, Radomir's expression changes. "Do not fear for my sake, Sir. A tool does not fear being broken in its use. If it serves its purpose, a tool is content. Today, I was injured, tomorrow, I shall do better. "
He keeps a firm hand on Happs's neck as the others question him. His grip is firm, but not painful, until the bandit appears to be withholding information. Then, Radomir squeezes him hard.
Soren nods at Alexander's decision.
Understood. I'll scout the camp before we attack, and make sure everything he said was true. After the assault begins, make sure we stay alive. No risks.
He then speaks to Oleg.
Would you happen to have a map of the area? I know the area fairly well, but if I can show everyone else, we can at least determine the best way to split up and take them out quickly.
Oleg shakes his head no. "Most of the areas around here are uncharted and untraveled. That's why the bandits have been making their camps out there."
I see. Looks like we're making this on the fly then. I guess we get some rest then. I'm assuming we'll be setting off first thing in the morning, then?
The last part is directed at Alexander.
Alexander laughs and slaps Radomir's shoulder, I'm sure you will Radomir. I'm sure you will. But the fact remains, none of these bandits are worth the lives of those standing here, now.
He nods at Soren's question, At first light. I think we could all use some rest?
Agreed.
The rest of the day and night pass fairly quietly for the group. The only sounds are those of an ordinary night, owls hooting, crickets chirping and the occasional howls of larger wildlife coming from outside the Post's walls.
You all wake with the sun, eat a hearty breakfast and prepare to set out for the bandits camp. Everyone now has a mount thanks to the bandits.
As everyone readies, Soren tells them his plan.
The camp is located right off of the river. If we head southwest and follow the river, we'll run right into it. Now, I say we split off, and have one group pull a direct assault on the camp, following the river right into thier front door.
The second group will go a little more west than south into the forest, hit the river and follow it down that way, coming up behind the camp. The second group lays down surprise cover fire for the main assault, and picks off threats before they can ready themselves.
The hard part will be the guards. Happs told me that there are four, one at each end of the river and the one at either side in the woods. Taking them out quietly will be the lynchpin here.
Now, all of this is assuming that Happs was telling the truth. Just in case he wasn't, when we get close to the camp and before we split off, I'll scout ahead and make sure all of this is correct. If it isn't, we'll improvise.
I believe it was mentioned that our arcane force is you, Eduard? Would you happen to have any spells that would help me scout the camp when we get there? Inivisibility, perhaps?
Andrea surprises everyone by tucking into a large breakfast that looks like it has no chance of fitting into her slender frame.
She then does her prayers and somewhat unsteadily, mounts her horse.
Alexander does not eat nearly as much as Andrea, keeping his breakfast light.
The tall man nods, Southwest it is then. As for how we attack, let's see this place first. We don't know how big it is, how many defenders it actually has, or even how it's set up. We could ask, but no matter what Happs says, we'll need to see it before we can form a plan.
He chuckles as he mounts his horse, But I do like your enthusiasm.
As you wish, then.
Soren smiles as he mounts his own horse, and makes ready to leave.
Thaliar sticks to the fruit, like he did every breakfast so far. If he is surprised by the amount of food Andrea stows away he doesn't show it.
Before they move on he retreats to prepare some more alchemical goods.
Once that is done he grabs the brown mare he claimed yesterday and rides to the front next to Soren, "If we want to move stealthily I think it's best if you, Alexander and myself do it. I suspect the three of us are better suited than the rest." He then rides on, slightly ahead of the group, "Oh, and I forgot to mention this yesterday but those incendiary arrows you mentioned, I could make them if you get me the materials."
Radomir eats heartily, but sensibly: lots of protein and grains. He remains silent during the meal, and leaves to tend to Czernabog when he's finished. As they group rides out, he remains in the back, the better to make use of his charge and lance, should he need to attack.
Once that is done he grabs the brown mare he claimed yesterday and rides to the front next to Soren, "If we want to move stealthily I think it's best if you, Alexander and myself do it. I suspect the three of us are better suited than the rest."
"That is wise, Thaliar. Czernabog and I are untrained for stealthy maneuvers. Nor, are we equipted for them."
Eduard eats normally, taking some time away from the group to prepare his spells for the day.
"I certainly do not object to allowing others to handle the scouting responsibilities. Hopefully there will be somewhere nearby that we can hide the horses so that you can continue on on foot. Though I suspect that if the bandits have such a strong hold on this territory that they are not making much effort to hide themselves or their movements."
The sun is still low in the morning sky as the group sets out on their mission to find and lay waste to the bandit camp. Oleg opens up the gate and holds it for the group to pass through. His last comment to the group: "Good luck with those bandits. And please, if you have any time in their camp, find our wedding rings."
It takes roughly 5 hours of straight riding before you all hit the edge of the forest. After about 20 minutes of slowly riding parallel to the edge of the wooded hills, you are able to spot what looks to be a game trail and should be wide enough to accommodate your horses. It then takes about another 5 hours of riding to hit the Thorn River.
There hasn't been much in the way of rain lately, so the river is fairly low in its bed only about ten wide at its narrowest and is shallow and slow moving.
We should probably leave the horses.
Soren will tether his horse here, and give it enough length to graze comfortably. He then takes his bow off of his shoulder, pulls an arrows from his quiver, and starts sneaking toward the direction the camp is in.
We should probably leave the horses.
Radomir looks at Czernabog, and then at the others. [b]"Aye.". He is clearly displeased with this prospect, but he realizes he has no choice. "We are not stealthy, and stealth is what is called for.". He loosely tethers Czernabog to a tree, so the horse can break free and defend himself if he needs to.
Thaliar follows the example of the others and tethers the horse to a nearby tree.
He then moves for the trees, keeping some distance from others. Slowly but surely he tries to make his way through, paying special attention to wheerever bandits might be hiding.
Alexander dismounts and tethers his horse. First we'll scout it out. If we can work out an approach where we can attack with mounts, we'll return here and retrieve them.
He looks about the area attempting to discern what would be the best way to approach the Bandit camp, near the river, or further into the woods.
After a few moments Alexander realizes he has no idea without knowing how the river turns. He shrugs and follows Soren, hefting his spear.
Andrea tries tiptoeing
Your group travels down the river bank, some more quietly the others. As you come around a large bush, you hear a very loud burp reverberate in the silence and your eyes easily locate the source of the unpleasant noise: The bandit scout who is leaning against a tree with a bow in one hand a wineskin in the other.
As soon as Soren gets over the shock of coming up on the bandit in such a lackadaisical state, he looks the man up and down, assessing his armor and posture. Then, he fires an arrow at the bandit, not taking the time or effort to speak or offer a chance at surrender.
Andrea lifts her crossbow and fires
Alexander may be the only one in the party that the bandit does not see, but he's also the only to not see the bandit. As the group moves forward, Alexander seems to be lost in thought and is as surprised as the bandit is.
He rushes forward up to the bandit, threatening the man at the end of his spear.
Eduard, noticing the lookout seems to have seen them, decides that there isn't time to attempt to cast Sleep and pulls out his crossbow.
Bardiche held ready, Radomir stalks toward the bandit with his bardiche. Czernabog would have been useful, now. I am not complete without my horse. If I am not complete, I cannot fulfill my purpose. I am useless. Useless things are discarded. I must make sure that I perform well, so that I can remain useful
He doesn't speak, he simply glowers at the bandit from beneath his black helm, his wicked blade held at the ready. Wordlessly, he swings at the bandit. He must be quick! If the call is sounded, the fort will descend on them.
The bandit scout clearly didn't expect anyone to actually try to sneak up on his camp and was thus slow to form any kind of response before arrows from both Soren and Andrea take him down to the forest floor.
Soren stalks forward and searches the bandit's body for anything useful.
Andrea loads another bolt and will head forwards when the others are ready.
Alexander nudges the man with his boot as he draws near. He calls back to the others, though keeps his voice low. Dead. Well shot, the both of you.
As Soren searches the body, he keeps an eye out for other bandits.
We should consider having the stealthier among us lead the way, with the others behind a distance. If we find anything, we'll double back to get the others. The camp should be close. I'd prefer not to stumble into it and be forced to attack straight away. We should take our time and plan this. He chuckles and nods towards Radomir, We should have taken that other bow with us after all. But don't worry. Soon we'll see this place. Once we know what we're fighting, we can double back for the horses and Czernabog and he can join us for the actual battle.
We should consider having the stealthier among us lead the way, with the others behind a distance. If we find anything, we'll double back to get the others. The camp should be close. I'd prefer not to stumble into it and be forced to attack straight away. We should take our time and plan this. He chuckles and nods towards Radomir, We should have taken that other bow with us after all. But don't worry. Soon we'll see this place. Once we know what we're fighting, we can double back for the horses and Czernabog and he can join us for the actual battle.
Radmoir nods and holds his bardiche ready. "I will correct my weakness when we return to the camp, Sir. You gave an order, and I did not obey. I will make corrections and accept any punishment you deem necessary, Sir." Despite his grim words, the warrior peers out into the woods, ever mindful of his duty and the dangers that lurk in the trees of the Stolen Lands. "You are correct, Sir. Stealth was not part of my training. I was trained to attack on horseback and be seen, to draw fire away from those who use guile and stealth to accomplish quiet tasks. This is another weakness. I see now that my training will not serve your purpose in the Stolen Lands. I will correct this weakness, as well"
Alexander looks stern for a moment, Every soldier has a job. Do your job, stay true to your line, and you never need apologize. We can't be experts at everything. He smiles wryly, The rest of us wouldn't be able to take multiple arrows to the chest and keep going. Do not doubt that you do your job well. He looks around the group and continues, Others get hurt when one member of the unit tries to do too much. Do your job, trust that others will do theirs, and we'll all do fine.
Alexander hefts his spear, Now, where is that bandit camp?
Radomir nods once as Alexander admonished him. "Aye, Sir! He hears his bardic he and stays to the rear, allowing the stealthy characters to guide the group towards the bandit camp.
Eduard will hang back as much as possible while remaining in sight. He'll try to stay hidden, but not press his luck moving too close.
The dead scout has: one set of leather armor, a dagger, a short sword, a shortbow and two silvers and eighteen copper pieces on him.
Seeing that the scout has nothing worth noting, Soran simply sticks the dagger in his belt and stands.
Take whatever else you guys want I guess. I'll pick up the trail of the camp.
Andrea will have the remaining equipment gathered to take back for sale.
Alexander leans down and picks up the bow and quiver of arrows. These may prove useful. He adjusts his pack and straps the quiver down, then stows his shield. With an arrow and bow in hand, he's ready to proceed.
Alright. Let's have Soren, Thaliar, and I head out first. We'll proceed slowly from here on. Scouts will head out, find a place just a bit farther, then wave the others forward. We'll continue this until we get there. It can't be more than a mile or two now.
Soren, the scout was rather sloppy masking his trail when he came out here. He made the mistake of traveling too close to the river bank and you can make out his foot prints in the damp ground near it and follow them back towards the camp site.
Soren motions for Alexander to come over, and smiles.
Look here. Our dead friend over there left a trail to follow, likely all the way back to their camp. We shouldn't have too much hassle sneaking there and scouting it now.
He then starts sneaking along the path presented by the tracks.
Andrea waits for the signal.