Hymenopterix's Colonies of the Salt Coast

Game Master Electric Monk

Bardic Knowledge (history): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (11) + 3 = 14

Bardic Knowledge (engineering): 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (17) + 3 = 20

Xarafine blushes, and lowers her eyes with embarassment after realizing all the errors contained in her own plan.

"Forget what I said...I should have thought before I spoke...the fool plan wouldn't work. We have neither the manpower or resources to repair a catapult before the rest of the bandits arrive. Secondly, to fire an accurate catapult shot at a small group of skirmishers on level ground with it is nearly impossible...sigh...clearly I do not have Belam's blessing when it comes to strategic planning."

"Elements of your plan still work." Jack rubs his chin. "Forget the catapults if you think they can't be fixed. As Oleg said, touching them will alert them one way or the other anyway.

"But we can lay other traps, and draw them in. Trip lines and pit traps are simple. They don't think Oleg and Lana are capable of traps, I doubt it anyway, so their guard will be down. We can dress any of our own equipment as part of a traveling merchant caravan rather than a military expedition."

"The more I think about it, the more I'm worried that they will not come inside in force but just send one scout while waiting out of sight. If they do that, we won't be able to get them. What is your opinion about that? The first ones were complacent, but that won't be the case for the others"

"I think our best bet is to spend a day repairing the door, preparing traps to help master Oleg and his wife deal with any scouts. Then we move to their camp, have Jack and Volpe sneak in through the woods to take down their sentinels (we can get a map from our captive), while Teacher Xarafine, Beim and I come in riding at their signal."

"So we capture or kill the scout, and they either investigate, or they realize this is no longer a place for easy pickings. I don't see the problem."

Jack makes a rare moment of looking Finnabar in the eyes. "We cannot train merchants to be soldiers in a day. If we abandon them, and Oleg and Lana are killed, I will hold you personally responsible."

Jack paused. "And myself, if I listened to you." The young man sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"I'm sorry. I take the acts of bandits rather personally. But I think if we can bring them to us that's the better option. If they DO send a scout, then that's one less man they will have to defend the camp, if we decide a raid is the best option later."

Xarafine takes a deep breath and makes another attempt at offering a useful suggestion, though her expression and tone of voice clearly show uncertainty.

"Perhaps we could make a display that will draw their attention, such as a very large fire with a plume of black smoke. Something that could be seen for miles. If we build it in the courtyard (safely contained in a berm or pit, of course), it may appear from a distance that the trading post has been attacked. When the bandits arrive, we have archers on the rampart fire on them while the rest ride around from behind and flank them."

This bunch seems cowardly and lazy. If they think the place is on fire, they'll avoid it until they think the fire is out and then come in and loot at their leisure. I think they'll be more inclined approach if they think nothing is wrong. Hopefully they'll send more than one scout ahead, so that we thin their ranks more. They won't send more than one scouting party, though. If they think the trading post has become too dangerous, they'll either assault it then, or abandon it and retreat. If they don't decide to attack right then, we'll have to go after them in their lair.

"Perhaps Oleg or Lana has a suggestion? They have dealt with this lot for awhile now."

"As most of you seem to think that staying here should bring more results, I will bow to your experience of bandits. As we have decided to trap them here, let's plan for the case they send just one or two scouts and for the case the whole group comes. In the second case, we can cut their group in half by closing the doors once half of them have come through. A single man can do that using a counterweight and a few makeshift pulleys. I've already seen that done."

Knowledge Engeenering 1d20 + 5 + 1 ⇒ (18) + 5 + 1 = 24

"For the rest, we can should be posted the same way we were last time, using whatever we can to restrict their hose movement. Any other ideas?"

"Perhaps Oleg or Lana has a suggestion? They have dealt with this lot for awhile now."

"Well i don't know," Oleg replies, "after all they've only been three times before and Happs was in charge except for that first time. Well now, i know that you overcame this lot very easily, but would it be the same with nine of them? all expecting trouble? he looks down at his feet, shuffling them slightly.

"If we are going to stay here, are we planning to be inconspicuous or obvious? Are we going to stay inside, and give the impression that nothing has changed, or are we going to make ourselves known and dare them to challenge us? If the former, we need to plan how to go about hiding ourselves from the eyes of their scouts."

Well, it sounds like we're going to try the same plan as last time then. We just need to get the gate properly working and we can cut them off down the middle.

"As most of you seem to think that staying here should bring more results, I will bow to your experience of bandits. As we have decided to trap them here, let's plan for the case they send just one or two scouts and for the case the whole group comes. In the second case, we can cut their group in half by closing the doors once half of them have come through. A single man can do that using a counterweight and a few makeshift pulleys. I've already seen that done."

Knowledge Engeenering 1d20+5+1

Finnabar, you can use the check quoted to access this spoiler.

Bein'Meleth approaches astride Arundel and listens to the continuing conversation of how to prepare for the bandits. He sits for several moments, wiping dirt off his armor, while listening to the same idea's being rehashed. He removes his helm and frees one of his hands from his gauntlet to wipe the sweat from his brow as he placed his helm on his saddle-horn and looked at his comrades before him, he hated speaking but time was of the essence.

In Illisarni "I have had time to think on what could be done and i'm at a loss. All that we discuss here are good idea's except some require a lot of time and effort but they may prove fruitless if the remaining bandits show any brains at all. Unlike their fellows they probably won't come near the fort and will launch flaming arrows or something from range instead to retain their mobility. So pits would be nothing but a waste of time, now the net could be reused to make their escape difficult but I doubt they will come within bow range of the forts gates now, especially if their comrades do not return." He sighs for a moment as he rubs his chin thoughtfully with his free hand.

In Illisarni: "I'm a man of straight forward actions, so far all we have discussed is waiting for them to come to us. But we still have an advantage because they don't even have a clue as to what has happened and we can still catch them unawares, perhaps if we approached their camp during the late evening before the sun's light is lost. Their sentries would be feeling the days heat wearing down on them and perhaps they won't be as perceptive as they should be, making our approach much easier." He waves his hand dismissively "If a direct approach like that does't suit your fancy then we could use the corpses as an alternative. One of us dresses up as them and approaches, with the dead strapped to the captured mounts, from one direction while the others move in from the opposite and attack from behind while they are distracted, a basic and rough version of a Pincer movement. I understand that this is both dangerous and brutal but it will help us maintain our advantage of surprise. If we give that up then our enemy will be unpredictable and the danger to Master Oleg and Lady Lana will be much worse."

He sat patiently, waiting to be rebuffed but trying not to show it. He was still new to thinking about tactics on his own. He hated the thought of possibly losing those horses if they paniced and fled but this was the easiest way to him to trick the bandits. He sighed, life seemed more difficult when not surrounded by his fellow Border Wardens, and he was still trying to gauge each of his new comrades. The next few hours should prove interesting...

"I have been told that horses will, if left unattended, often walk back to their stableyard. Perhaps we should set the pack horse loose, and let it walk back to the bandit's camp. We could, perhaps, track it to a location conducive for an ambush then wait for the bandits to send out a reconaissance party and the catch them unawares. If they ride out with a full complement, we may be able to even the odds before they even know we are there. If they only send out scouts, we can take them out, and whittle their numbers down to a manageable force."

Finnabar spends some time examining the gate hinges and comes back to the group shaking his head.
"I'm afraid I've spoken too quickly; Those hinges are completely rusted and must be replaced. There is no way to do that here without a proper forge and a trained blacksmith. So if we stay here, we must find a way to reinforce the net for it to last more than a couple of rounds."

Jack smiles faintly, wryly, at Xerafine's suggestion. "Hopefully they did not recently steal the horse from somewhere else."

The young man stood, to stretch his legs and pace a little. "Another option occurs to me, though it slows our own mission. Oleg and Lana are the only people here. We guide them back to Restov, where they can stay or return with recruited reinforcements. If the bandits take the outpost in the meantime, they can deal with the rusted hinges and the rotting catapults and we can finish them off if the need arises then. My concern is protecting innocent people, not a run down trading post."

We're a bit at an impasse, and I'm sure Hymenoptrix would like us to make a decision and move on, as interesting as the discussion and the RP is. The idea above just randomly came to me so I thought I'd share it but really, at this point, for the interests of going forward, Jack will do whatever the majority of the group agrees upon.

Honestly, I prefer to go out after them. I don't think we'll be leaving the Oleg and Lana undefended, since we're going out to meet the one thing that's threatening them. It eliminates the chance that they'll bypass the camp. I f come at them from the forest side, the guard post can be quietly eliminated, and with a little bit of stealth, we may be able to take of few of them out in the main camp before a general alarm can be raised. If we're really lucky, we might even stumble upon a patrol or hunting party on our way there.

Jack smiles faintly, wryly, at Xerafine's suggestion. "Hopefully they did not recently steal the horse from somewhere else."

The young man stood, to stretch his legs and pace a little. "Another option occurs to me, though it slows our own mission. Oleg and Lana are the only people here. We guide them back to Restov, where they can stay or return with recruited reinforcements. If the bandits take the outpost in the meantime, they can deal with the rusted hinges and the rotting catapults and we can finish them off if the need arises then. My concern is protecting innocent people, not a run down trading post."

We're a bit at an impasse, and I'm sure Hymenoptrix would like us to make a decision and move on, as interesting as the discussion and the RP is. The idea above just randomly came to me so I thought I'd share it but really, at this point, for the interests of going forward, Jack will do whatever the majority of the group agrees upon.

I'm not leaving says Oleg firmly everything i've got is tied up in this place. I'm sure the promised guards from Restov will arrive soon. Anyway, I think that they're cowards at heart. I'd be surprised if they came back.

I'm not worried how long you need to discuss your strategies. - a decision would be good though so that you can start exploring.

Nodding to Oleg, Bein approaches and dismounts near the couple and bows respectfully. In Illisarni "Forgive my bluntness but I would ask for two things if I may. The first is I would like to know which weapon you wield best master Oleg and to spar with you awhile in preparation for what faces us. The second thing is that if we are away from here and those foul bandits return I think it would be best if you didn't mention having the fight here at all, and tell them that a band of strangers or some such arrived with all these ill gotten gains. I'm sure they won't think twice but at least you can plead innocent and their wrath will be aimed at us instead."

Xarafine looks to Finnabar.

"So what are your orders Captain? Shall we ride out, or wait?"

Xarafine looks to Finnabar.

"So what are your orders Captain? Shall we ride out, or wait?"

From the opinions expressed here, I think the majority is for riding out.

"Seeing that there is very little we can do to prepare the fort and that we will have a better chance of getting rid of them by catching them unaware. We will ride. As part of the day has already gone by looking at all we can do in the fort, I propose we start this afternoon, camp midway to the bandits camp, and try to arrive to the camp mid morning, where we have the most chance to have some of them away on various errands."

Finnabar looks to Jack, expecting disapproval:

"Master Jack, I know you think we're leaving master Oleg and his wife exposed, but we do not really know if these bandits can get some more reinforcement somewhere else and we do not. The best way to keep our host safe is for me to strike at the bandits in their nest."

"Before we go, there is just three more question I want to ask our prisoner. First, We should get him to describe in details the layout of the camp and of the watching posts. Then, I want to ask him if there is any password for people to approach safely of their camp. And last, I want to know more about the amulet we found on the leader here. Has anyone more questions to ask. If not, let's get ready to move."

All right, then. Let's take care of this!Volpe gathers up his weapons and heads to the stables to select a horse.

Bein nods in approval to Finnabar's command, he turns back to Oleg and his wife. In Illisarni "When we return I will pursue this further, we will return soon with good news Master Oleg and Lady Lana."

With that he removes his pennant from his lance and packs it away with reverence as he says quietly in Illisarni: "We ride forth again grandfather to stand against those who would harm the innocent, grant me the strength of your arm so I may defeat them." He places the bundle in his saddlebags and mounts Arundel, after tightening any loose belts and making sure his shield is secure, he grabs up his lance and thrusts it into the air as Arundel reared up. "Trust and go forward to victory!"

"We are leaving them exposed, that's undebatable. But we've made clear all our options have risks. The sense of the group is clearly to take them on now, and I'll consent to that."

He fiddled with the binding of his headband. "My sense would be to take them on in the twilight of dusk or dawn. The shadows would be in our favor; there are fewer of us than there are of them and we'll need that."

He bit his tongue on his further thoughts: that Oleg and Lana were complete fools for wanting to stay in this rotting, useless fortress, and that he and his fellows would now likely would be killed on hostile terrain by superior numbers so that they might survive in their folly a few more days. At the same time, he could not bring himself to abandon either the old couple or his new comrades. To him, home was the people you were with, not any one place, and if it was his fate to die with them in doing the right thing, then so be it.

He followed Volpe to the stables, appraising the bandits' mounts to select one that suited him. If I need to make a check, would that be Knowledge Nature or Handle Animal?

Xarafine begins unpacking and erecting the Shrine. When everything is in place, she lights the candles within and begins a prayer in Canari:

Upon concluding the prayer, Xarafine calls Svetlana over to her.

"Mistress Lana, may I entrust you to make certain that the Shrine remains in place with the candles lit until we return? I would be most grateful for your assistance in this matter."

No, no, there's no password or anything like that. replies the bandit when you ask him I don't know nothin' about that trinket. He didn't have it until about a month ago, that much i can tell you. I think its somethin' to do with The Stag but i don't know what. I know that Kressele's got one like it, but that's it.

I'll be able to post a map of the bandit camp later on this afternoon (my time - maybe 5-6 hours from now). I'll also post an area map with the location of the Thorn River camp.

Seeing Jack approach the Bandits mounts Bein approaches and indicates which ones are riding horses and which was the pack horse.

"My apologies that I didn't inform you as well Sir Jack, they are fine enough for riding but sadly they will panic if surrounded by fighting of any sort, I believe." Bein frowns slightly at the thought of rounding up panicked horses, but he shrugs it off a moment later.

I used Handle Animal personally because its semi-broad it what it covers but since you use it to teach an animal tricks or give it a purpose then I assumed it would be useful in assessing the animals quality or current training/ability (especially if its an unfamiliar animal). The Dm can correct me if i'm wrong but that was my best assumption for that skill ^^;

Jack approaches one horse slowly, gently reaching out to it and when it does not shy, patting it lightly on the neck. Handle Animal 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (7) + 3 = 10

He nodded to Bein. "That's alright. To sneak up on the bandits I will need to dismount before we approach closely anyway." He looked at Bein with a slight smile. "And it's just Jack, Sir Bein'Meleth. I am just a merchant's son."

No, no, there's no password or anything like that. replies the bandit when you ask him I don't know nothin' about that trinket. He didn't have it until about a month ago, that much i can tell you. I think its somethin' to do with The Stag but i don't know what. I know that Kressele's got one like it, but that's it.

Volpe frowned at the explanation of the amulet. It's possible it's just a badge for this Stag fellow's officers, but what if..

Volpe casually selects a horse for himself and mounts up.

He followed Volpe to the stables, appraising the bandits' mounts to select one that suited him. If I need to make a check, would that be Knowledge Nature or Handle Animal?

mechanically the horses are much the same. However, with a Handle Animal check i'll let you select the horse's temprement to some extent.

The bandit is able to sketch a rough map of the camp HERE and give a rough description of the terrain around it HERE. Note that you will still have to explore these hexes to produce a good quality map for Restov.

Smiling at his mistake Bein gives a low chuckle as he watches Jack move among the horses. Hopefully I get the chance to get them combat trained, these horses would be a good start and a great assest for us in our future endeavors.. in Illisarni: "True I had forgotten that we would be using field speech while on this quest, keeps things simple. Sometimes. I do hope I get the time to break these horses in proper, they have the raw potential for it but it takes a lot of time to harness it and create proper destrier's out of them."

He appears lost in thought for a moment before his features darken and his eyes take on a steely edge as he looks the horses over again. After shaking his head he mumbles something in Illisarni: "I refuse to use those methods... Their minds must be as healthy as their body, so it will take time, it will be done right..."

Volpe frowned at the explanation of the amulet. It's possible it's just a badge for this Stag fellow's officers, but what if..

Could that amulet be enchanted? Teacher, do you have some way to divine that? If this Stag has some sort of enchantment on them, he may be using that to track the bandit's movements.

Xarafine looks carefully at the amulet, turning it over in her palm, then touching it lightly, speaking in Canari: casts detect magic

If the amulet registers as magical, Xarafine will make a spellcraft check. Spellcraft: 1d20 + 6 ⇒ (16) + 6 = 22

Xarafine looks carefully at the amulet, turning it over in her palm, then touching it lightly, speaking in Canari: casts detect magic

The amulet doesn't register as magical

"It's just an ordinary amulet, untouched by magical energies. It is obviously significant. Perhaps if we capture this woman, Kressele, we will learn more."

She hands the amulet back to Finnabar or the person charged with its care.

Finnabar will take a placid horse if possible. Due to his bad leg, he is not found of riding.

"I agree with Jack. Now that all of us are ready, let's move as close as possible to the bandits camp today to attack them at dawn if possible."

Xarafine unpacks the Shrine from her mule and erects it in the courtyard. After lighting the candles, she says a prayer to Belan.

Upon conclusion of the ritual, she turns to Svetlana.

"Mistress Lana, if I may impose, there is an important task that needs doing while we are away. Could you please make certain that the Shrine remains in good order, with the candles lit until we return? If any of them burn down to the nibs, would you be so kind as to replace them? I have two duties I must fulfill, but as I am only one woman, I can only do one at a time."

Assuming Mistress Lana is willing, Xarafine shows her the box of extra cnadles, and how to properly place them in the holders.

Once this has been completed, she mounts her horse (whichever is left), and prepares to ride out.

"It's just an ordinary amulet, untouched by magical energies. It is obviously significant. Perhaps if we capture this woman, Kressele, we will learn more."

She hands the amulet back to Finnabar or the person charged with its care.

That's a relief. I don't want to be spied on.

Jack will take one of the skittish horses. He is not the horseman Bein'Meleth is but at least has been around animals, and he is unsure of the experience of anyone else who might be taking a new animal. And he knows he will dismount hopefully before they are anywhere near combat.

After kitting up the horse, talking to it while he does so that it gets used to the sound of his voice and mannerisms, he mounts. He hopes he remembers well enough to ride. He's tended to animals but is used to being on foot or in a caravan wagon most of the time.

"I am ready. Is everyone else?"

After visually checking his gear one last time, Bein'Meleth hooks his lance in its rest and sits at ease, astride Arundel, as everyone gets ready. Listening to the conversations around him, he nods his head in agreement. In Illisarni: "I am ready for this endeavor and I am prepared for whatever comes next."

With that he bows his head respectfully to Oleg and his wife, then he rides out to the front of the fort and makes sure that the area is clear before taking his place in their formation.

Bein'Meleth moves to either the front of our marching order or the back depending on how everyone else wants to do this. I'm more concerned on placing him between a possible threat and our caster/leaders if possible. It would be nice to be able to charge, but if someone/something one shots are healer its going to be a bad day. lol

As you select your horses and make your preparations for leaving Oleg pushes the bandit into the storeroom and locks the bandit in. Lana rushes back into the house and returns soon afterwards with small packages which, when you open them, you find to contain sandwiches filled with some type of meat. Of course i'll keep the candles burning child she says to Xerafine, kissing her on the cheek. you are of course all welcome to stay here whenever you are nearby. You'll always find a clean bed and a warm meal at no charge at all. - Oh stop groaning Oleg, you know they deserve it. Why we'd have nothing at all if they hadn't come along.

As you finally move to the gates on your way towards the East Oleg quietly approaches Finnabbar. Quietly he whispers, When they came that first time that Kressele woman took Lana's wedding ring. If you do happen to find it,... I don't suppose you'd be able to bring it back for me. She says she doesn't mind but i'm sure that she would love it back.

Xarafine takes Lana and Oleg each by the hand, "The Blessings of the Nine be on you both." She gives them each a parting smile, then mounts her horse.

Awkwardly turning the animal towards the broken gates, she turns to Finnabar.

"I am ready, Captain."

Xarafine will ride somewhere in the middle, close to Finnabar.

As you finally move to the gates on your way towards the East Oleg quietly approaches Finnabbar. Quietly he whispers, When they came that first time that Kressele woman took Lana's wedding ring. If you do happen to find it,... I don't suppose you'd be able to bring it back for me. She says she doesn't mind but i'm sure that she would love it back.

We'll look for it, master Oleg. If we capture this woman, we'll be sure to ask about it. Can you also describe it, so that we do not miss it?"

To all, once every one is mounted, "Let's go. We'll do as usual, Jack and Beim have the point."

Jack nods to Finnabar and takes his position in front with Beim, after they exit the gates.

Let us go, and deal with these miscreants once and for all!

Falling in behind Jack, at the head of the formation, Bein makes a point of following Jacks instructions and doesn't contest his actions as the make their way. Bein sadly never was good at Woodcraft, even with having grown up in the mountains and being a Warden for so long he just lacked the natural skill require to be a woodsman. Although he lacked in that respect, he took pride in his horsemanship and soldiering hoping that he would be able to match blades with a strong opponent someday. He looked to his now pennant lance and took a deep breath, Today there would be no show of heraldry or pride for where one hails. Today we strike a blow against lawlessness and banditry and I cannot allow my grandfathers symbol to be bloodied.

"I will watch your back Jack, Lead on!"

We'll look for it, master Oleg. If we capture this woman, we'll be sure to ask about it. Can you also describe it, so that we do not miss it?"

"Oh, it's not very valuable, but it means alot to me and Lana" Oleg replies, "It's a simple gold band with nine lines eteched into its edge."

As the party mounts up and moves out of the fort the light drizzle continues, showing no sign of letting up. As you move eastwards over the rolling plains Oleg and Lana's trading post eventually dissapears from view as you pass over the crest of a small hill.

After a little over three hours of travel the edge of a forest finally comes into view:- a vast area of mixed oaks, beech, rushleaf, and smaller scrub which extends as far as the eye can see.

The bandit's tracks lead towards the forest and following them you come closer to the forest's tangled edge. As you approach three small figures, much too small to be humans, and moving with a strangely inhuman gait are just visable at the forest's edge, about 300 feet away. Two of the figures have a pole over their shoulders with some type of load. Just as you catch sight of the creatures one of them looks up and, seeing you, gestures in your direction. The other two drop their load and all three run into the thick tangle of the forest.

Sorry for the lack of posts yesterday, it was my birthday and i was engaged in birthday-related activities. :)

In Illisarni: "I will investigate and return shortly comrades." Breaking off from the formation Bein'Meleth keeps his lance vertical and kicks Arundel into a canter, until he gets close to the load. He will then signal Arundel, to slow his pace, and slowly approaches the abandoned load. He casts a wary eye to the woods as he approaches, and keeps his shield ready, in case the little creatures decide to attack using the trees as cover.

Percepton 1d20 - 1 ⇒ (7) - 1 = 6 (Totally can't catch me unaware) ^^;

Well happy late birthday xD! And no need to apologize bro, we all have to have a life outside of the forums so its understandable you take a break every so often. I'm just a homebody is why I post so much and its winter time so what else am I going to do xD

Xarafine thinks back to her studies, trying to recall if any descriptions or illustrations of these creatures from her studies at the Academy.

Bardic Knowledge: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (2) + 3 = 5

"Strange. I wonder what they are."