Moving over to the bandit that Bexer was interrogating, Tessandriel puts her face next to his ear.
She whispers to him:
"I assure you, that won't be as bad as what my people will do when I deliver you to them. You're not telling us everything about your ma."
She pulls her dagger and puts it to his stomach.
I know exactly how to make your death last a while, at least until the wild animals get you. It is most painful when they start to eat you while you are conscious. Talk, now!"
@Mikhaela: Everything seems fine, at least you think...
But yes, his gear is in a pile near the foot of the bed.
@Ranzo: The first man shrugs a little, still somewhat scared. "Never went in there. Unless you were Happs or the Stag Lord, you never wanted to be in there."
The second man shrugs as well. "Besides being a possible demon and definitely a drunkard, and a very angry one too, don't know much about him. And I know better than to believe mercs like yourselves. We bandits, you know we aren't too honest. Mercenaries? Never can tell, so never believe 'em."
@Tessandriel: You smell a foul odor emanate from the man. . He summarily passes out from fear, the only word coming from him being, "Ma..."
Tess puts up her dagger and walks away.
"Humans." she says with obvious contempt.
Is the wagon in the southwest corner of the camp functional or repairable (Bexer will check). It would be simpler if we had a wagon to carry all the gear and tents and such...
"Learn this now, were not Mercs, we are appointed by the Sword Lords to clean this land. Quicker you learn that, the better. Mercs are easy to understand, give them more money without having to die, unless they are based in religion."
"Religious mercenaries? That's an odd concept." Mikhaela pauses to consider the idea as she loads the wagon.
After the interrogation, when the others begin to organize the goods and horses for the travel back to Oleg, Komana comes to give somebody a hand when necessary. But at the moment she realizes the strange "bird-man", moving her hands in a ritualistic way, starts to speak "Good to see you fairy blessed creature, what kind of winds bring you to us, what are your pursuits, your anguish and intentions? I can help you in this fate?"
By confusing with a fey she uses all her "diplomatic skills", that learned as a child, to demonstrating respect.
The first hex's travel is largely uneventful, moving out of the forest and into clear hills again.
Ooh! An encounter!
Ranzo will do the same as before, staying in the rear and watching the cart and prisoners.
"So Kossuuk, why are you in this area? Whats your plan?"
Perception checks from anyone interested or paying attention, please!
perception
Perception:
As the caravan rests for a moment to let the horses have a breather, your group is mostly preoccupied with their newest companion and the prisoners. Bexer, however, not only hears a commotion in a nearby copse of trees, but sees movement as well!
Init
Init:
As Bexer watches, a man in dark leathers steps out with a longbow drawn. "Alright! Hands where I's can sees 'em! One move 'nd one ya gets stuck!" He stands about 40 feet away next to an old elm.
Init, reroll
Init, reroll1d20+2
I could take him *chances of fatal damage are approximately 2.5%*..shut up. But that's premature.
"Hold on there. I'm not threatening you, but I'm not surrendering either. Point that bow at the ground and we can talk like rational men."
The man thinks for a moment (an act that looks a little difficult for him). He lowers his bow a little, but keeps the arrow nocked and ready. "Rash-n-all men? You mean yous all them Razmiri's from out west? What brings yas to my little neck o' the River Kingdoms, and do yas have anyt'ing of gold or silver abouts ya?"
Bexer sighs
Just a common run of the mill bandit, then. I'd hoped for better.
"No. We are from Brevoy. We're here to end bandits here. Drop the bow. Now."
Speaking loudly enough to draw attention to himself.
"A Bandit, Oh no! Ranzo looks scared and "falls" off the horse so the horse is between him and the Bandit. Then takes out and strings his bow.
Ride Check for dismount:
Bluff check for believability of being scared and falling:
Ranzo looks at the bandits in the cart, checking on them:
Kossuuk eyes the man who appeared, attempting to ascertain his motives.
The bandit seems to feel full of himself, seeing at least one person obviously petrified of him. He gets almost a swagger about himself. "Bandit hunters, huh? Not so good if jes' me here can makes one o' yers panic!" He raises the bow once more. "Now hand me all yers gold and goods!"
intimidate
Do you know idiot who you stand before? I be a Lotusmaster, a full Initiate into the sacred mysteries of the Lotus. Before me you are nothing more then a pathetic wretch, suitable only to be used as fertilizer to grow the sacred lotus...
The bandit looks about. Now that he thinks about it, his buddies are no where nearby, either having abandoned him or worse. He lowers his bow before turning south and running like mad.
Bexer thinks for a long moment, before shrugging and turning back north,"If one of you is inclined to arrow him down, I have no objection."
"Dam, I did not expect him to run so quick, we can't let him report back."
Ranzo steps around the horse, moving 20' if needed and shoots at the retreating man if possible.
Bow:
Damage:
Confirm:
Damage:
Mikhaela just stands there, gobsmacked.
"Let's be on our way. May Erastil protect us from idiots."
As the bandit flees, one of Ranzo's arrows catch in his spine. Falling to the ground, he twitches twice, and Pharasma takes him.
And add 20 xp to your characters, everyone!
as Orsino thinks he murmurs, perhaps the wisest prayer ever said.
knowledge nature
Confirm: 1d20+4
Damage: 1d8+2
Thats right thanks Tessandriel, I knew that, but it was late and almost bedtime. :)
Ranzo would have loaded the the body with the loot into the wagon to bury him by Olegs.
Kossuuk said "I sensed a disturbance in the ley lines running through this area and came to purge whatever caused the anomalous energies. While these bandits are a menace, they are not what I seek, for they are base things of flesh."
"Is that mage and magic you speak of? I don't recall Ley Lines from my training. Some sort of buildup of magic energy?"
Looking at Komana: "You speak the language of the fey, do you simulate the noise of the wings buzzing with clicks of your tongue or snapping your fingers?" Ranzo smiles.
[ooc]Response to Komana "One wonders if you truly were born amongst the Fair Folk, given the aura of other-worldliness about you that the others cannot hope to see. Although you may have forgotten much, all will become clear in time, for power such as that does not go unnamed forever. Zolquis etera bashouqq tenaris."
"The Ley is magic in it's purest form, incomprehensible to most. The Ley runs throughout all of creation, roots of the tree of life, if you want an allegory. It flows like a river, keeping creation vibrant, alive, and ever changing. It is an essential component, for as the elders speak, 'that which does not grow shall fall into decay'. Disrupt the Ley and only ruin can result. I am attuned to the Ley and can see that which is unseen, touch that which by it's nature is formless, and harness power such as man can ill conceive of."
@Kossuk: We'll say you are now at 300 xp. A hair behind your fellows, but not by much.
And now to continue you back to Olegs!
The final leg of the trip is fairly quiet, but tiring. You all arrive at Oleg's with the three bandits and the loot in tow. As you approach, the gate is closed, and a man in studded leather stands near it. As you approach, he raises a hand. "In the name of Lord-Mayor Sellemius, halt and identify yourselves!"
Bexer rummages about in his backpack for a moment before presenting his copy of the charter, "I am Bexer. My companions and I were chartered to explore and tame the local wilderness."
His tone is business-like, neither friendly nor hostile.
"We have prisoners. Bandits who surrendered to us. I believe we'll need to speak to your commanding officer"