Date: Calistril 28, AR 4710
Time: Late Afternoon
Location: Oleg's Trading Post
Weather: Temp(Low 40s F) / Overcast / No wind
You have arrived at Oleg's trading post in souther Rostland, freshly equipped with the above blessings of the Lord Mayor of Restov to explore this land - over four thousand square miles of rugged terrain. You are not alone in this venture, and you have traveled the past four days from Restov with these other three companions.
The Swordlords have also granted each of you a small gift, one you hope not to have to use: a feather token of a small bird. Should you become incapacitated, get killed, or otherwise be unable to fulfill the duties with which you have been charged, this token will be used by your companions to notify the Swordlords that they need to begin recruiting a replacement.
You are greeted warmly by a woman appearing in her late twenties, from what you can tell under the heavy cloak she wears, with blonde hair and blue eyes typical of Ulfen descent. "Welcome, and well met, travelers!" She smiles and enthusiastically gestures toward the tables standing on either side of the cooking fire. A warm stew bubbles happily in its pot, and small cups stand near an open bottle on the near table. "Please, take refreshment from the road. Those of you with mounts may make use of the stables," she offers, pointing to the building to the west. "You should find good straw and hay for them there. Oleg! Come down, and greet our guests!"
A burly man drops from the roof of the low building, and somberly greets each of you in turn with a powerful handshake. "Da, welcome," he grunts. "Please, make yourself comfortable. I am Oleg, as you know. This is Svetlana, my wife. Now, who are you each, and from where do you hail?" He looks over each of you squarely, noting visible weapons and armor, and more than once glances at the open gate behind you.
peering closely at their lips and turning his head at each speaker as they speak Wyatt pauses briefly then speaks
I'm Wyatt of the house Myved. The heart of the Sellen River is where I hail from. My travelling companions will be behind me shortly, I could use a good drink after this long trip on the road.
Jean-Luc slings his multiple scarves over his shoulder and bows low at the sight and speech of Svetlana, quite a feat considering the well loaded pack of exceptional quality on his back. A pleasure to meet you my dear, Thank you for your hospitality." He considers kissing her hand but once he sees Oleg he thinks better of it. Standing tall and firm he gives the man his best handshake." Merrymeet Oleg, Jean-Luc Reynard at your service. I was birthed in Galt, but now home is wherever I may roam, so they say." His hand rests on the pommel of the hilt of his rapier now and he follows Oleg's eyes to the open gate." Ah, my good man, before we enjoy your generous refreshments, Could I offer our help in closing that gate, should you require assistance?"
"Urzug Urzug." he says, then, smelling the stew, the five foot five inch Half-Orc dressed in rags, he goes and grabs a bowl and fills it with stew, by plunging the bowl, and his hand, into the stew, then sits at the table and chows down. "Grub yum!"
"Nikoleta Lebeda, charmed I'm sure." Nikoleta says, holding out her hand for Oleg to kiss, however, when the burly man looks at her oddly she lowers her hand awkwardly. "I am from New Stetven, I'm sure you've heard of it." She pulls her coat closer to herself, watching he breath in the cold air. Nikoleta then looks over at Svetlana and smiles at her politely.
Mikam looks around at the fort with a sour look on his face before hobbling over to the gate and leaning up against it.
"Gods, I am glad we are here. I swear my left boot gave out about a mile ago. Either that or I have a stone the size of dragon tooth rattling around in there." Mikam says, pulling off his boot and shaking it out, looking for anything to drop out.
"Well. That has to be better. We are going to sleep for a few days before heading out to explore right? I could use a day or two of sleeping on a bed rather than the ground." he says as his companions stream past into the fort. He watches Urzug making a beeline for the cooking fire where Svetlana is working.
"I think that Urzug beat me to the punch. I could use a bit of stew, a bit of wine and a good sit. So, thank you for welcoming us so warmly Svetlana." Mikam says, limping a bit less as he makes his way across the courtyard to the firepit.
Standing tall and proud, the short-furred creature staying to the rear of the party audibly purrs as Svetlana and Oleg make introductions.
"I am Drek, a servant of House Lebeda and the eternally young Nikoleta. " He indicates the sylph as he names her. "I am certain that we are all greatly appreciative of your hospitality, and look forward to the warmth of your stew in our bellies and that of your fire for our feet." Drek glances around the compound quickly before continuing, "Is there something that we should attempt to accomplish for you in exchange for the comforts you are offering us?"
Date: Calistril 28, AR 4710
Time: Late Afternoon
Location: Oleg's Trading Post
Weather: Temp(Low 40s F) / Overcast / No wind
Oleg grunts at Nikoleta, and waves a hand at Jean-Luc, heads for the gate of the trading post, and begins to pull it closed.
"Well!" Svetlana exclaims with forced enthusiasm as you finish your introductions, wincing slightly at Urzug's approach to stew service, while also having a hard time looking away from the walking cat and nodding at Drektan's last comment. "Yes, we are glad to have you here. So, you are then here to put a stop to the bandits, yes? What did you mean about resting before... exploring?" she asks, indicating Mikam's comment.
Urzug finishes his first bowl, and while refilling his bowl, says, Urzug Wahhg Badmen! He then sets to scarfing down his second bowl.
Date: Calistril 28, AR 4710
Time: Late Afternoon
Location: Oleg's Trading Post
Weather: Temp(Low 40s F) / Overcast / No wind
Svetlana looks at Urzug after his outburst, then looks at the rest of you, as though looking for a translation.
Drek lowers his head and tries to avoid eye contact with Svetlana as she seems to hope for a translation that he needs just as badly. "We were tasked to address any banditry which we might encounter, yes. The walls and siege engines seem a little much for a place such as yours. Are bandits that much trouble for you?"
Mikam shakes his head at his companion's responses.
"Seriously? You are going to confuse them. If you are going to tell the story, you have to explain it right...you lot would make some pretty poor traders."
Settling down at the bench by the fire, Mikam sighs contentedly, then continues.
"What they were trying to explain is that we have been chartered by the Swordlords of Restov to map and explore the Greenbelt. They want us to also take particular attention to any bandits that we may encounter and deal with them as best we are able. I don't think that is our primary job though. We really are supposed to be just mapping."
Setting his pack on the ground next to him, Mikam riffles around a bit before pulling out a small clay pipe and pack of tobacco. With the ease of long practice, he quickly packs it and lights it with an ember from the fire.
"Now that IS much better."
Date: Calistril 28, AR 4710
Time: Late Afternoon
Location: Oleg's Trading Post
Weather: Temp(Low 40s F) / Overcast / No wind
Svetlana and Oleg listen to each of the various explanations, and as Mikam casually lights his pipe, Oleg breaks into a flurry of curses, stomping about the yard.
"Exploration?" Svetlana asks. "Then you were told nothing of the troubles our post has faced these past months? We were promised aid, and told it would be arriving..."
"Of course they are not they promised aid, Svetlana," Oleg spits. "We were promised soldiers, not some motley collection. Pfaugh!" He yells, then storms over to the stable and disappears inside.
"Please forgive my husband," Svetlana says, looking after him as he goes. "You will be encountering bandits soon enough, and we would be most grateful for your aid. They first arrived, three months ago tomorrow. Of course it was the dead of winter, and we had only been here repairing this old fort for a few weeks, trying to make a new life away from the city. Oleg has dreamed of getting away from the city for years, well before we married, and now that dream is threatened, and there is little he can do against it."
"Motley collection? Well I never." Nikoleta fumes, adding "Don't let the door hit you on the way out." under her breath as the burly man storms out. Why did these have to be the people we had to meet up with anyway.
She then shifts her attention towards Svetlana and asks, "What is it the bandits want anyway? If you've been plagued by them for three months they must want something."
Jean-Luc reels backwards slightly at Oleg's outburst, but leans in closer over his bowl of soup as he listens to Svetlana's words. His face is full of concern but after a moment or two a smile creeps over his face." I take no resentment to the claim of being a motley crew -" He pauses to look at his companions and nods." It certainly seems that way to me. But there are some avantages over a lot of stuffy soldiers, We certainly seem more fun." he offers a wink to Svetlana." But beyond that, I've dealt with the likes of these brigands before and I do not fear them. Indeed our primary goal is exploration but banditry shall not be tolerated. It is within our charter that the price of banditry is death, be it at the end of a rope or the tip of the sword." He declares, standing now and brandishing his rapier in a theatrical display. He smiles and returns the blade to it's home at his hip and saunters around with an eye towards the fort's defenses." I shall pledge my hand in helping you and your husband with your problem. This place has the makings of a sturdy foothold in these wild lands. I suspect that it will make a good base of operations for our explorations, and our campaign against the unsavory men who inhabit the wilderness." He pauses and looks over the rest of his group, chuckling slightly at his initiative. " I only hope I'm not alone in this pledge."
Mikam makes a wordless salute with his pipe, acknowledging Reynard's words with a trail of smoke. He turns back to Svetlana.
"It sounds like the bandits didn't run you off though. I can appreciate that. Traders who run away at the first sign of adversity aren't worth their salt."
Drek watches Oleg's temper tantrum with wide eyes. He nods as Svetlana tries to maintain some semblance of peace and seems to acknowledge Jean-Luc's efforts, though he neither follows nor verbally joins the pledge.
The look of disdain provided to Mikam is hard to miss, though.
"You claim to be a trader, skilled in communication, but you start by closing communication down, by telling more than your new associate needs or wants to know and convincing him that you are only going to drain his time and other resources. You destroy opportunity and claim it is because you are a better trader. The entire truth is almost always going to bring you harm, and demanding the full truth be provided is not reflective of developed negotiating skills."
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In all fairness, we were given instructions to deal with banditry, but nothing as to specifics. As far as we knew there was nothing serious here. We will of course as good stewards of the land and of the folk here, proceed to deal with any bandits that are troubling this place As he finishes speaking he looks around for someone to bring him something to eat and eyes the irrate shopkeepers.
Mikam blinks a few times at Drek's words, confusion obvious on his face.
"Can anybody please translate for me? I have no idea what Drek just said. I am certain it was Taldan, because I understood the words, but the meaning escapes me entirely. He certainly couldn't be verbally attacking me for saying that I admired the grit and determination of Oleg and Svetlana, right?"
After a moment, Mikam shrugs then turns back to Svetlana. "In any regard, as Reynard and Wyatt have said, we will most certainly deal with banditry when we encounter it. But, as your husband inferred, we are not soldiers, paladins or lawpersons. So we aren't going to be riding white chargers into the sunset, flashing swords drawn against the tides of evil. We will just deal with any problems as we encounter them or as they threaten."
Mikam takes a draw from his pipe then continues. "Svetlana, if its been three months since the last attack, then the bandits may have moved on out of the area, in which case you would have little to fear. If they haven't, then I imagine Urzug will make short work of them."
Date: Calistril 28, AR 4710
Time: Late Afternoon
Location: Oleg's Trading Post
Weather: Temp(Low 40s F) / Overcast / No wind
Svetlana steps closer to the fire, hugging her shoulders. "Please understand, my husband is a proud man, and his mood is a reflection of his frustration. Were it not for me, I fear he would have thrown himself at these bandits, no matter the cost to himself. The catapults you see on the towers are broken. I do not believe they have worked in years, and we have had neither time nor skill to repair them to use in our defense.
"The bandits first arrived in great strength, just less than a score in total. Two were leading them: a woman, cruel and of a dark humor, and a cloaked man, simpler of speech and armed with bow and arrow. They threatened to burn down our post - and worse - if we did not turn over to them all the furs the hunters had left here in trade. That is what they have taken each month. My dear Oleg, he began to protest, but they easily overpowered him, and the woman took up a hatchet and would have cut off his hand, had I not pleaded for her to stop," her eyes well up with tears, and she rubs absently at her left hand.
"They have returned twice since then to make similar demands. The woman did not return on the first return, but the man with the cloak and bow had ten others with him, and last month he came with eight. They make us out to be an easy target, I think, and what could we do against them? They are callous brigands to the last."
She sighs. "If they follow the pattern of their last visits, they will arrive in the morning, tomorrow, within an hour of sunrise, and carry off their "taxes" quickly, eager to be back to wherever they hide."
She turns to face each of you in turn. "I am glad that some of you are willing to help us, and I know that we cannot make you assist us. However, if you can help us by driving off these bandits, we will be most grateful. You need something of a... base or home during your explorations, yes? We can help you in this, provide you a place to stay, and meals to eat. You will not need to return to Restov to resupply your exploration if our post can have a chance to succeed. My husband is a very canny trader, and knows how to keep adventurers such as yourselves supplied."
Oleg re-emerge from the stables while she speaks, still glowering, and though he mutters unhappily about the possibility of providing free food and lodging to six guests, he does not countermand Svetlana's offer, and only stands quietly at her side, clearly still simmering with frustration.
"Ah. So they have been returning every month? And they will most likely return tomorrow? Well then, this seems the perfect opportunity to ambush them and eliminate your problem in one swift blow." Mikam says, punctuating his words with his pipe.
"Did you hear that Urzug? You may get to hit someone tomorrow."
"If we could repair just one of these catapults, we would easily have the upper hand." Nikoleta says, looking around, adding "If you have supplies to fix them and if anyone knows how."
She glances at her companions, "One day should be plenty of time to repair one of those, right?"
I think I caught the jist of what you're saying Mrs, tomorrow morning's not alot of time, but we can't stand by while things like this happen, in particularly while we're here and able to do something about it
Gets up and begins looking around the building and the outside for defensible spots, and potential ways to ambush.
"Urzug Smash Badmen! Urzug Waaaagh!" He shouts gleefully, while throwing his fist into his palm, to show how he plans to smash the bandits.
The cat sighs. "Mikam, the problem was not you providing words of encouragement but of you providing words of discouragement. The problem was you telling him something he did not need to hear, something he could have been told later perhaps, which led to his very expected display. You might note that what everyone else told him was that we have a reason to deal with bandits. What you told him was that the bandits are low on our priority list, suggesting to him within moments of meeting him that we were all going to throw him to the wolves, so to speak. Your 'better trading skills' have damaged a potentially rewarding relationship before it could be built, and yet you think throwing him an empty compliment will prevent the damage caused by suggesting to him that he will be on his own. I see little in this display to suggest a successful trading career was ahead of you, which may say something about why you are here instead of being used in an established business."
Looking to Nikoleta's question. "I am afraid that I have a very limited knowledge of siege engines. I can take a look and see if I can work out the mechanism's intent well enough to make meaningful repairs, but I do not know how positive the results might be." He looks back and forth between the two towers near the gate, and then back over to Svetlana.
"Ma'am? You said that the bandits originally arrived a score strong, but that the number on each trip has been declining, correct? And that the number on the last trip was only nine, yes? So we should be able to plan for a group smaller than 10 men. You said the one man had a bow, correct? What were the others carrying?"
Jean-Luc tilts his head slightly at Drek" While I can appreciate your candid nature, I hardly think attacking Mikam is necessary. It'd do you well not to damage the relations of our party before they can be properly strengthened...As Svetlana inferred, Oleg has a fiery disposition, and who can blame him?" He paused to smile at the couple and offer a friendly wink." He's in the midst of quite a stressful situation, and I applaud his bravery thus far. I apologize for the visual breakdown in communication for our group which you're choosing to place your trust in, we haven't quite had time to grow into a cohesive unit." He sighs and nods at the rest of Drek's questions towards Svetlana."Yes, do expand on the procedure of these bandits. When collecting their 'tax' do they come inside the walls or do they demand it be brought out? Tell us whatever you can remember about it."
Date: Calistril 28, AR 4710
Time: Late Afternoon
Location: Oleg's Trading Post
Weather: Temp(Low 40s F) / Overcast / No wind
Oleg grunts, scratching at his beard, then offers, "They each had bows slung across their backs, but only the one had his out. The others - lackeys, mostly - were too busy stealing my goods to pull out their weapons." He spits. "If I remember, they had swords, too. Short, heavy ones. Came on horses, left the horses at the gate, came inside, took the goods, piled them on the horses, then left." He looks up at the catapults, and shrugs. "I do not know what one would even need to repair such a thing. I can build a building, but know little of warfare."
Svetlana nods to Drektan. "They have diminished in number each time, yes. If we are fortunate, they will be fewer still tomorrow."
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This is a problem we will certainly endure and overcome Wyatt looks to the other companions I'm sure we have some discussions to make, but I would like to get these bandits all within these walls and at least try and talk with them. If these are the usual types of rogues, they'll either capitulate to any demands we make of them or resist and thus be subject to our judgement... And banditry I believe has a severe punishment
Mikam stands and bows toward Drek. "Drek, you are absolutely correct, I was inadvertently crushing their spirit. I will be more careful in the future and defer to your judgement when we speak to other people in the future."
Turning his back to Drek, Mikam takes a small draw from his pipe and listens to the others thoughts before answering Wyatt.
"While I applaud your calm demeanor Wyatt, I have to say I don't understand...talk to them for what reason? Svetlana and Oleg have said these rogues have repeatedly stolen from them. When they arrive tomorrow and demand the tribute from our hosts, we will hardly need any confirmation of their intentions. As our companions have suggested, we should probably subdue them through some means and then make our demands, rather than spoil our surprise by attempting to chat them up."
Mikam continues, now talking aloud to himself. "It also wouldn't due to let any escape inadvertantly. As Svetlana and Oleg have said, there are others in the group, or were. It stands to reason that those who flee might warn any others, and return in greater numbers...I wonder if we could lure them inside and shut the gate somehow..."
"Badmen Badmen. Urzug Badmen!" Urzug shouts as he jumps up from the table, accidently knocking the bench over he was on.
"Badmen talk badmen. No shiny talk badmen!"
"Woah, down tiger." Nikoleta says as Urzug storms off. She then takes a deep breath and speaks to thr group, "So, we're looking at hopefully less then 9 of these bandits, I say even without the siege engines, we have the advantage here, heck even if they show up with 9 I think we can handle them, we're in a fort, it should be easy enough to defend." She motions over to the front gate, adding "How well will that thing hold if we close it off before the bandits come? We could attack them from the walls if we have to."
"Pardon, Mistress Lebeda, but if we close them OUTSIDE the walls, then we can't prevent them fleeing and seeking help. We need to trap them INSIDE the walls if the goal is to prevent them from fleeing. I don't know about anyone else, but I prefer to fight someone who either can't fight back or who is too encumbered to do so easily."
Drek looks around at the others with a slight grin. "Perhaps we should hide until after Oleg and Svetlana provide the furs as normal, and then close the gates as the bandits are loading themselves up with the loot? They are trapped in an area we can prepare, and they start the fight loaded down, with their weapons stowed. I greatly prefer that to having them outside the walls firing their bows at us."
I'm in agreement with Drektan on this, we can lie in wait for them and if they come for the goods, we can close off their escape and handle them entirely looking to the merchants This way we ensure none escape to come back again
Mikam snorts. "I think the hardest thing about that plan is getting Urzug to not attack them straight-away."
"As for dealing with them, if they are reasonably clustered together, I think I have a spell that will serve to incapacitate them nicely. But even if that doesn't occur, I think that our combined arms will be sufficient to the task."
"I have to agree, getting Urzog to wait will be the hardest part. Like Mikam, I have a little magic that might be able to effect several of them, but I also have a bow. Perhaps we should decide who should hide near the gate, and where, first? I think Urzog would be a poor choice for this duty, as he will undoubtedly wish to be in the midst of the bandits when things get started."
Looking around at the group, and checking the armor and weapons each is wearing, the cat offers a suggestion. "I see Jean-Luc is carrying a crossbow. Perhaps the two of us hiding up on the catwalk, maybe under some tarps when the bandits enter, and then we could jump down and close the gate? Then we could contribute without having to run to join the fight. Is there a better choice?"
Date: Calistril 28, AR 4710
Time: Late Afternoon
Location: Oleg's Trading Post
Weather: Temp(Low 40s F) / Overcast / No wind
Oleg gives Urzug a dour look when he marches off with the wine bottle, but does not contest the feral looking half-orc. "When last they came," he offers, "they threaten to burn down fort, yet none carry torches. I have heard of magics that can accomplish this." He walks over and stands up the bench.
Svetlana looks at Wyatt and says, "If you hide to surprise them, the best buildings are the stable and the guest house." She indicates the building south of the fire pit.
"If you would have them begin to load their horses, then only I will be bait for them. Svetlana will hide in the house," Oleg states calmly. "Think you that you can defeat an armed force such as these? What if they succeed in putting fire to a building? Can you extinguish it?"
Jean-Luc paces for a moment" Hmm. Is Svetlana usually present when the bandits come to collect? It's important not to do anything out of the ordinary. But if you'd rather have her out of the line of fire, I possess the ability to mimic her appearance." He stands and displays this ability, using his shapechange ability to mimic her appearance, surely to a few ahs and oohs, before returning to his previous, favored appearance." I'll do my best to be forthcoming with you, as transparency is important if we're to be allies. I think it's important to shut the gates and spring the trap immediately once the bandits are outside. I'll hide in plain sight, Drek can hide on the catwalk, or maybe shoot from within a window in the guest house, and the others can hide in the stable or house. At least two should be near or behind the gates to slam the gates shut, the horses will not likely wander far in the time of the battle. If things go according to plan, the bandits will be fighting for their lives, blindsided. These type of men think of themselves first, the threat of lighting buildings afire is simply for intimidation... If they're caught in the middle of the crossfire and have our dog of war Urzug let loose upon them, they won't have time to think of anything but living. As long as the gates are closed, they will be forced to fight."
Nikoleta pauses for a moment as the others speak before saying "I agree with Jean-Luc, we don't want to do anything to tip off the bandits ahead of time." She glances around trying to get a better feel of her surroundings, "I will hide in the building closest to the gate, and while the bandits are busy loading up the cart, I might be able to slip through one of the windows and close the gate quickly, what time of day do the bandits tend to arrive?" She asks before looking at the sky and studying the clouds.
Looking toward Urzug I think our fellow prefers to meet folks head on, much like I do. I think he and I though can perhaps find a way to close the doors then challenge these cads head on and he and I are stout men, we can endure their ire
Nikoleta pauses for a moment as the others speak before saying "I agree with Jean-Luc, we don't want to do anything to tip off the bandits ahead of time." She glances around trying to get a better feel of her surroundings, "I will hide in the building closest to the gate, and while the bandits are busy loading up the cart, I might be able to slip through one of the windows and close the gate quickly, what time of day do the bandits tend to arrive?" She asks before looking at the sky and studying the clouds.
Mikam listens carefully to the discussion, simply smoking while his companions make their plans.
"So it sounds like plans are coming together. We allow the bandits to come inside while we remain hidden. The moment they are within the walls, Wyatt, and Urzug (if he agrees) will close the gate and strike from behind. The remainder of us then advance from hiding while Oleg takes cover. Does that sound like what we are saying?" Mikam asks to clarify.
"So, Wyatt and Urzog hide behind the doors and everyone else hides in the stable or guest house?" Drek shrugs. "As long as they can hide behind the doors it is as good an option as any other."
Looking around the camp for a second, he continues "Perhaps we should check on a few things. How hard or easy are the gates to close? How obvious does someone have to be while in the stables or guest house to those outside in order to know when to open the door and begin an assault? I am certain there other things which should be checked as well, but they escape me at the moment."
Date: Calistril 28, AR 4710
Time: Late Afternoon
Location: Oleg's Trading Post
Weather: Temp(Low 40s F) / Overcast / No wind
Oleg hops back, pulling Svetlana behind him, when Jean-Luc changes appearance, but then relaxes a bit when the previous guise returns. "A funny trick you have," Oleg says warily. "Yes, they are used to seeing Svetlana at first, but then she goes inside always, as they leer so crudely."
He spits, then looks around. "The gate is not easy to close, but if two or three are doing so, it can be done quickly. Come, I show you." He gestures for Wyatt and Urzug to follow him towards the gate, and shows them the best place to stand to close it quickly.
Svetlana turns to the rest, "So you will help us then? We are agreed?"
Wyatt follows Oleg to be shown how to close the gate With any luck we can get this closed up quick enough and then we can deal with the rabble and not worry about their escaping.
"It does not appear that we'll be having any trouble with the weather tomorrow, however a little rain wouldn't have hurt for carrying out an ambush." Nikoleta says calmly and then nods to Svetlana. "We will do all that we can to assist you and your husband."