You see a brown-haired woman moving from the western side of camp. Rather than cross the stream, she moves towards the eastern portion of the camp. As she moves closer to your clumped group she spots Aldarion and immediately throws a dagger in his direction.
for
Her surprise at seeing the man there throws off her aim and the dagger sails wide. She curses loudly.
Seeing the woman drawing close, Timothy attempts to daze her.
The woman grins angrily. "Don't play mind games with me, you little b!@#@. Fight me like a man!"
Caelus steps around the tree and spots the foulmouthed woman. He cocks another arrow and fires directly at her.
This must be the one Oleg described. Eliminating her may cause the others to surrender...
Aldarion's summoned minion's poo-attack lands square in the face of the bandit in the tree stand. He sputters in anger.
Caelus' arrow sails towards the woman who is unable to get out of the way. The arrow sinks into her shoulder. She curses loudly as it hits and looks at Caelus with venom in her eyes.
Maja's stone find its mark, too, hitting the tree-bound bandit square in the head again. He too curses and turns to fire an arrow in retaliation.
Fortunately for Maja, he turned too quickly and his aim was off.
The other bandit in a tree also attempts a shot at Caelus, who is partially covered by the tree.
Thanks to the cover and the poo in his face, the arrow sinks harmlessly into the ground at Caelus' feet.
The two remaining bandits stand up in the middle of camp. One of them moves towards Aldarion. The other takes aim at Caelus with his own longbow.
The string on the bandit's bow snaps as he pulls it back.
The bandit curses loudly and immediately sticks his fingers in his mouth in pain.
Caelius takes aim with his shortbow at the bandit nearest him.
for
The arrow sinks into the bandit's chest. The man falls falters for a second before falling to the floor of the tree stand, dead.
Round 2
Initiative: Aldarion, Woman, Timothy, Maja, Caelus, Bandits, Caelius
Round 2
The monkey laughs at the poo-faced man and points. He then turns to the woman below. Another reach behind as the little miscreant swings to a lower branch, then unleashes his assault upon her, aiming for the top of her head.
* SPLAT! *
The jubilant monkey razzes the woman before vanishing back into the ether from whence he came.
...
The sage cautiously steps back from the bandit east of him, then mutters some more esoteric words. He gestures with a free hand, wriggling his fingers upwards, like serpents dancing.
Tree branches from the two trees flanking her reach down and attempt to grapple the bandit woman and carry her up into the air. Likewise, tree branches reach for the poo-faced male bandit on his platform and try to wrap and carry him into the air as well.
Aldarion then gazes through the foliage south and west to possibly spot or hear additional bandits making their way north towards himself and his companions.
The woman shrieks in anger as the fecal attack strikes her head. She looks up in anger at the beast only to see it disappear. At almost the exact same moment, the limbs of the trees reach down and attempt to grab her and the other bandit.
Both fail to avoid getting tangled in the branches
The woman struggles against the branches, but manages to loose some at dagger at the half-elf in retaliation before retreating out of the entangled area.
for
The branches impede her ability to throw and the dagger sails wide.
Timothy turns and sees that Aldarion is being attacked and attempts to Daze the bandit.
The bandit's jaw goes slack for a moment as the spell hits him cleanly.
You don't spot any additional bandits, but you do hear the sound of two men struggling as if they're gagged somewhere nearby.
Remaining Order: Maja, Caelus, Bandits, Caelius
Caelus peeks around the tree again and fires another arrow into the nasty woman, intending to put her down as quickly as he could
Caelus' arrow finds its mark in the woman's stomach. She looks down at the shaft protruding from her gut and falls to her knees. It appears she's attempting to speak, but only blood spurts out of her mouth. She falls face forward into the mud.
One of the bandits, despite being dazed, sees the woman fall. "Kressle's down!" he yells. "Let's beat it!" Despite his words, he seems unable to move from the spot.
The bandit on the ground retreats south (he's currently 20' off the bottom of the map) and the bandit in the tree stand lowers his weapons and begins to move down the tree.
In his haste, he falls from the tree.
He dies upon impact with the ground.
Though the sounds of battle haven't completely died down, you can all now hear the sound of two people who sound as if they're trying to yell, but are gagged coming from the southern edge of the camp.
Caelius runs across the small stream towards the others, trying to catch up with the fleeing bandit. Unfortunately, as he's running, he tears his ACL. He yells in pain.
Releasing his entangling spell, Aldarion hustles over to Kressle's body. As he does so, he announces to his nearby companions, "Do not let that one escape, he may warn others." The gardener points south, towards the fleeing bandit.
Reaching her a moment later, Aldarion immediately drops down to his knees and applies pressure, to stop the bleeding and stabilize her (if she is not beyond saving). Before proceeding any further, he then looks to Maja expectantly.
"She's their leader. She may know something about the Stag Lord."
As Maja approaches, Aldarion holds his hand up, "...but not too much healing. Just enough to remove these arrows and keep her unconscious, for now."
"Leave no stone unturned..." Caelus mutters to himself as he steps out from behind the trees and levels his bow at the fleeing bandit. He fires an arrow, aiming to kill.
Satisfied he turns to the Noble Gardener, "Can't say I agree with you on saving her, but your reasons are sound..."
The tubby little man coughs when the gag is removed and spits off to the side to clear his mouth. "I'm called Retsiji. And before these folks--" He indicates the fallen bandits with a jerk of his head, the most he can do given his current state of bondage. "--grabbed me, I was on my way to a little trading post to offer my services to the folks with the charter to explore around here. I'm guessing that's you?"
Retsiji stands up and stretches, then stomps around and waves his hands to get his circulation back. "Thank you, Maja. Go easy on Ezekial...he had a worse time of it than I did." He gives the cleric a speculative look. "I've read the charter, you know, and it didn't come right out and say anything about reclamation. The subtext wasn't exactly hidden, though. Now, though, I think the bandits stashed my supplies somewhere...I won't be good for much besides knowledge without my spell book and such."
"Thank you," Ezekial says, quickly standing up and heading over to the wagon with the gear in it. "Unfortunately, time is of the essence when trying to save someone's life."
Gear in hand, Ezekial heads over to the bandit that fell, seeking to stabilize.
(2 SR+3 class skill+1 from Wisdom+2 from Healer's kit)
"Once the dying are stabilized, I'll start working on the walking wounded," Ezekial says to any who ask. "Good job with stabilizing Kressle, sir. Nice to see someone being helpful with the bandits instead of just killing them like some pompous Chel."
Aldarion carefully observes the fallen bandit leader for signs of consciousness as Maja channels her healing energy.
Certain that she is now stable, he replies to the clergywoman, "Ah yes, I do believe she is now stable. Thank you."
Seeing Maja heading over to the two prisoners, the gardener adds, "And do please reserve some of that rope for our new and unconscious... 'companion.'"
Spotting the doctor stabilize the fallen man, he ponders to himself. Well, I suppose we should test the survivors, see if any truly are repentant or not.
Aldarion also takes note of the shorter man's mention of having the charter, raising his eyebrows while glancing to Timothy and Caelus nearby.
To the doctor's compliment, Aldarion smiles, "I have bound many a wound in my time." The half-elf nods his head politely while continuing to monitor his patient, "Aldarion, at your service."
"Ezekial," the doctor says as he finishes his attempt to stabilize the man. Once done, Ezekial patted the fallen man down for any weapons, putting them off to the side out of the man's reach. "Make sure they don't have any additional weapons on them. I don't want to have to bind anyone's wounds due to them taking a cheap shot."
Satisfied, Ezekial moves to the next wounded bandit, stabilizing the man first then disarming him.
Caelus sheathes his bow back into its case. He looks to the new additions with his usual cold demenor. "Caelus Vraie of House Vraie." He smiles at the insult from the doctor. "And I am Taldoran, not Chelaxian, however I do appreciate the compliment of my effective methods."
"I hope their are no delusions, but once she is conscious and answers our questions, she will face the rope, as defined by the laws of Restov... Just like the rest"
Hearing Caelus's words, Ezekial looks up from his work, his eyes narrowing at the fighter. "You have her life and those of her compatriots be saved, only to be executed after they give you information on the other bandits? Please tell me you are joking," Ezekial says, though he realizes there are more than a little truth.
"If anything, you will have given her an incentive not to cooperate. Have you tried being merciful and shown compassion? Or have you truly forgotten why your Taldan forebearers lost Cheliax and Andoran?"
The wizard nods. "The Swordlords' charter gives them the authority and obligation to do so, Doctor. Let me see...." He stares off into space for a moment, remembering. "As I recall, the wording was something like, 'The bearer of the charter should also strive against banditry...as always, the punishment for unrepentant banditry remains execution by sword or rope.' As a victim of their banditry, I will testify to that effect in any legal proceeding; they are also in possession of stolen property (mine), so the only question at hand is the truth of their repentance."
"And how long have you lived among them," Ezekial says as he looks at Retsiji. "How many times have you been sent out from your home, your livelihood? How often have you seen those who prey upon your life's work and become stronger on the fruits of you labor? How often have the only things you have been taught is to steal from others so you may live? How often have you tried to do good, only to be ostracized and casted out?"
"I had the unfortunate circumstance of being a guest for one bandit group. They join together for protection, to survive, like a pack of wolves. Like wolves, the bandits view settlers and caravans as prey. Hence how I was taken. They viewed my services as a doctor and cook to be beneficial to them and took me for a slave."
Shaking his head at the thought, Ezekial continues. "Unfortunately, executing them will only make them fight harder, if only to save themselves. This escalation will only serve to bring harm to the settlers as each side tries to starve the other of resources. Worse, the leader you execute today could replaced by a tyrant tomorrow."
Finding no hidden weapons - despite violently sneezing while doing the inspection - you manage to bind the still-alive bandits.
A few moments into the debate, Kressle's eyes flutter for a moment and then open groggily as she comes to. She looks around at the gathered group and a rueful smile spreads across her lips. "Kept me alive, eh? That was a mistake," she says glaring at the ground.
"Gentlemen," Aldarion announces with authoritative immediacy. "Let us tend to the more pragmatic considerations of the moment, shall we? I have no objections to stabilizing all survivors, for now. We must bind them securely, and only then debate their fate."
While speaking, Aldarion binds Kressle's wrists and ankles to the best of his ability, with any rope he's been handed by Maja or anyone else. He will then assist in stabilizing another bandit or two, as needed... so long as someone keeps an eye on Kressle as he does so.
...
After the dying and wounded have been tended to, the noble gardener takes in a deep, calming breath. He introduces himself with a slight bow to the rotund man with impressive memory. "Aldarion, at your service."
He then continues to address the companions, never keeping an eye off of Kressle in particular.
"Might anyone have a plan in mind for where we might jail these criminals? Writ aside, that is a practical dilemma we face insofar as refraining from taking the lives of these poor fellows. Lacking a proper jailhouse, and the staff to monitor them, a growing population of criminals merely bound by rope... we would be out-manned and overrun in a short time."
Nodding at Aldarion, Ezekial assist with binding the bandits and gathering up his gear.
"A practical method is stocks, or tying them to a post," Ezekial says as he looks at Caelus, seeing how the Swordlord reacts. "A couple nights and days in the elements will allow them to reflect on their misdeeds."
Looking at Kressle, Ezekial shrugs. "Miss, I believe in Sarenrae's teachings of redemption. As a follower of Pharasma, I believe it is her judgements that need to come to pass, not mortals. And as a doctor, I am to heal and provide assistance to the wounded and comfort to the dying. That also means to do my best to prevent harm to those I call friend, family, and ally."
Glancing at Caelus, Ezekial continues. "If nothing else, it'll provide us with the beginning of a less severe punishment system. What do you think, Swordlord?"
Looking at Maja, Ezekial leans his head to the side. "No, I haven't seen or heard what happened to Oleg and Svetlana. It's what I have been through. Midnight ambushes and the chaos they caused. Good men and women getting cut down for trying to protect their charges. The anguish cries of the weak and injured being sold off as slaves. The execution of a noble because he believed that all beings have a right to life, freedom, and happiness. The after affects of ambushes on caravans and small outposts. Doing my best to convince the very wolves to spare the defenders, if only so that they could be a source for future raids."
Crossing his arms, Ezekial looks at the rest. "You are right, I don't know what these bandits have done. But I have been with various groups of them to know that they view settlers and caravans as prey. They considers themselves predators, wolves. If you wish to execute them, you will be advertising the fact that we are competition. It is that angle you should consider, because uniting rival bandit groups under one banner is going to make our job alot harder."
"I am not defending them, but I am asking for understanding, mercy, and compassion. You want to bring order and honor to this land? Let's trying showing it first."
Aldarion considers Ezekial's words carefully as he strokes his thin goatee, never keeping his eyes off of Kressle.
"It is well and good to carefully weigh the need to make these lands a better place, with the need to bring an end to these 'wolf packs.' Mr. Ezekial, your insight into the deeds and rationales of these bandits will come in most handy to us, I surmise. As is your empassioned plea to compassion and mercy. Are you chartered by Restov as well?"
After the doctor's response, Aldarion continues, "Perhaps at this juncture we should discuss this most immediate issue: what to do with these bandits, right now. While I am not opposed to the idea of placing them in stocks, I'm afraid we do not have stocks to place them in. Nor would I surmise our gracious hosts at the trade post would agree to our use of their premises as a prison house, nor do we have the staff to oversee that they do not escape and bring harm to our hosts."
"Any ideas?"
"Additionally, there is an old saying, 'Do not cast your pearls before swine.' Of the bandits our party has encountered thus far, all seem to be of a 'swinish' demeanor to me; unrepentant and vile to the core, I'm afraid. In sparing their lives, might we be merely delaying the inevitable betrayal and downfall of our own operations?"
"Most especially," Aldarion continues, "should these miscreants have already unified under one banner. With respect to your statement dear doctor that they may take our actions as a form of competition, rumor has it that the bandits have already rallied under the banner of one self-called 'Stag Lord.' Do you perchance know of these rumors, and if they be the truth?"
Aldarion keeps quiet a while as the others chime in, seemingly detached and calm throughout the entire time... and never keeping an eye off of Kressle.
Hearing Aldarion's statement and question, Ezekial shakes his. "I wasn't chartered as much as given a recommendation. That, and the fact that a guide my old expedition had contracted had betrayed us and profited from the death of the noble. Last I heard he was in this area. As for the Stag Lord, I do not know of him. Kressle and he men had taken me prisoner before I could ask."
Hearing Aldarion's input, Ezekial smiled. "Just Ezekial, or Zeke. Doctor if you want to be formal. As for a jailhouse, forget it. We don't have the resources or time to provide shelter for those who don't want to work. Being left tied to a pole out in the elements without a cloak for a night or three should be enough reason to want to build a shelter. They will also have to work towards regaining the trust between us and them."
"As for running, then they might as well run away from here. Any we recapture as bandits will have made it known they were unrepentant."
Looking Kressle and the other two bandits, Ezekial considers his next words carefully. He is right, though. It might be extremely foolish to trust these miscreants. But, if the wounds of this land are to be healed, then we must do our best to show them a better path.
Caelus turns from the discussion. "Kill them, jail them, set them free. Doesn't much matter to me. They will get the rope eventually. Today or tomorrow, but they will return to Banditry, and I will hang them for it..."
Caelus begins to go through the equipment of the bandits to see if there is anything worth salvaging.
Retsiji continues to search for his spell component pouch and book, shaking his head.
Seeing the cleric's attitude going sour and hearing her questions, Ezekial shrugs. "As of now, we have defeated them in combat. However, they might view us as interlopers and simply lucky. With this "Stag Lord" as the bandit leader, the options to switch sides is going to be a very dangerous decision. Especially if he is one to refuse to suffer traitors and fools."
Ignoring Kressle, Ezekial moves to the other two bandits, then over at Retsiji. "Mistress Maja, Master Aldarion, Lord Caelus, and Master Retsiji, you are more familiar with these lands than I. I had heard there was a set of by laws that the River Kingdoms go by. Something called the River Freedoms. Isn't there one about oathbreakers and such?"
The two bandits you've left alive beg for mercy - and their lives. They both mention that they don't want to die for the drunk mad man.
Kressle spits as you all talk, remaining largely silent even as questions are sent her way. It isn't until Maja's question that she raises her eyes - an evil glint can be seen.
"Ah. That b$!%!'s token? I remember that. Don't know what came of it though. One of me boys took it off her - did her a favor, I'd wager. That piece o' tin was too s$!+ty to wear."
"Damn mites ran off with it," One of the bandits says, speaking up. Kressle curses him loudly, ordering him to remain silent, but the bandit ignores her and continues. "A couple of bags of loot were stolen just yesterday by a group of filthy mites - the annoying little bastards escaped with both bags. They've probably fled to their lair under the old sycamore tree." He looks up at the group hopefully. "See? I can be of help to ya. Keep me alive. I don' wanna die."
Searching around camp and the bandits' bodies, you manage to recover:
leather armor (4)
longbow with 20 arrows (4)
short sword (4)
8 days of trail rations
215 gp, 321 sp
studded leather armor
2 masterwork handaxes,
4 daggers
a pair of silver earrings
wooden music box
three crates of furs and hides
a polished wooden case of potent greenish herbal liquor - 8 bottles left
Seeing you poke around the camp, one of the bandits speaks up, finally. "The Stag Lord'll be none too happy to not get his booze."
The following found items are worth:
Earrings - 150 gp
Wooden music box - 90 gp
three crates of furs and hides - 50 gp/crate
Bottles of liquor - 20 gp/each
Hearing the two men answer their questions, Ezekial nods at them. "Thank you, gentlemen. However, as you know simply renouncing banditry is not enough. You will have to work for it."
Looking at the others, Ezekial shrugs at Kressle's statement. "Miss, I'd wager you think you have the upperhand. Maybe you do, or that your faith in the Stag Lord is well founded. But let me ask you this question: what might happen if the Stag Lord discovers you not only lost your main campsite and the goods, but several of your men, two of whom decide that it is better to serve for a more powerful side? If he is as powerful as you say he is, then he might even be more enraged you have the audacity to return to him with your total failure."
(Attempt to make Kressle consider my words +1 from Trait = 8)
Letting the question hang for a moment, Ezekial turns to the two bandits. "Fact is I doubt Oleg will let you stay inside the fort. However, if you choose to stay and uphold your word, I will help you build a better life. If you flee, though, we will not go out searching for you. However, if we catch you as bandits again, you will be executed as oathbreakers. Do you understand?"
(Attempt to make the bandits consider my words + 1 from Trait = 12)
Letting the bandits and Kressle hear his view, he waits for either them or those who rescued him to voice their oppinions...
"As for our prisoners, Doctor, two last issues occur to me. Where might we keep them if not at the trade post? And how will we ensure they do not escape?"
Aldarion is not particularly interested in the loot, but makes a mental note of the mites.
How amusing. Bandits stealing from bandits.
To the mention of the Stag Lord not being happy about getting his booze, Aldarion raises an eyebrow. He then suggests to his companions, "Perhaps it would be best to discuss our plans further when we have more privacy."