"We only need one of them to guide us. Let us 'dispense justice' to the other here and now."
Apparently these two are suffering from diminished mental capacities. They are either drunk, stupid or magically compelled to act this way. Possibly a combination of all three.
I do not believe that we can trust any information that these two would provide us with, and I am certainly not following either of them anywhere.
Unless someone has another suggestion, I propose to carry on with their judgement, here and now, so that we can get on with our other duties. I'm sure that by continuing to map the area, we will discover the location of the Stag Lord and his fellow bandits in due time.
Eadric plants his lance into the ground and retrieves a length of rope from his saddle bags while scanning the surrounding trees for a suitable branch...
"Let's just kill them. We can probably track them back to their base and don't really need either of them alive anyway."
"They seem half-mad", Ellaria says.
Eadric finds a suitable branch and throws the length of rope up and over. He secures one end to his saddle and ties a noose in the other...
"Kill them already"
Ellaria looks at Eadric, frustrated. "Funny, I actually thought we would judge them instead of deciding to kill them without a trial. Seems like you have already decided what the verdict would be", she says, pointing out the dangling rope tied to Eadric's horse.
Eadric looks to Torod and then to Ellaria. After a long moment... Eadric unties the rope from his saddle and drops the loose end to the ground.
In a firm tone, but with a hint at weariness in his voice, he says, These prisoners belong to Ellaria by right of defeating them in combat. They are hers to judge... and to deal with...
He gathers up his reigns and rides past Ellaria towards the open plains, remarking as he passes, I wash my hands of them... I will wait over yonder for you to conclude your business with them. I shall then continue on my duties of mapping and clearing the area of bandits and other threats...
He turns and adds one last remark as he moves off, If I see these men again in the Greenbelt, with weapons upon their person, I shall ride them down without a second thought...
Eadric directs his horse 200' to the south east and sits waiting upon his steed...
"Huh! What? So this is how it works now? Someone tries to kill us and we turn around and play nice with them?" Torod watches incredulously as Eadric rides off a bit. After a few moments, he silently walks his horse near to Eadric.
As Torod approaches, Eadric glances at him momentarily, before returning his gaze to the south. He eventually remarks, This is not how it will "work now" from now on, but my hands are tied here. She defeated those men in combat and she is now responsible for them. If you wish to petition a grievance, I suggest you make your concerns known to Ellaria. Demand that justice be done as a wronged party...
"For once, Eadric, that sounds like a decent solution. For one, I will not have the blood of unarmed men on my hands. Even more so if they seem to be insane. The best option is to bring them back to Oleg, on condition they repent and vow to never take up arms again as brigands".
Turning to the bandits: "You two tried to attack us and rob our possesions, and for that you could have paid with your lives. Have you anything to say about it? Will you denounce your evil ways and repent?"
"Anyone up for a swim?"
Eadric gazes across the river and at the destroyed crossing. This is the crossing the bandits claimed they were using to travel to and from the Staglord's fort? Seems highly doubtful...
Eadric leans over in his saddle and remarks to Torod, Why don't you go and test the water and see how cold it is? Eadric adds a smile and a wink.
Torod crosses the river. He uses whatever is still left of the ferry's workings to help him or he'll swim if there's nothing of substance left.
"We are the Wardens and we hunt the Stag Lord to bring peace to this land. To get to him we need to cross this river." Torod responds. "Who are you and why do you seek his demise?"
Eadric arches an eyebrow. Interesting...
Catching wind of the foul creature, Eadric wrinkles up his nose but suffers no ill effects.
Does it look safe to ford here Torod? Or should we find another way across?
Fort
Torod covers his mouth with his hand, stifling the urge to vomit.
"I think we have leave to cross here, but it comes with a price." Torod crosses the river.
Surly there is another ford across the river... I doubt the bandits have been using this crossing given its current state of disrepair... not to mention the obvious animosity of this creature for the Stag Lord...
...But if you wish to attempt to cross here I will follow...
Eadric shifts in his saddle as he takes in the sight of the fort. After a few moments of contemplation he turns to the others and asks, Well now, how do we wish to proceed?
"The spirit is only mad at the Stag Lord, not us. We're perfectly safe crossing here." Torod responds.
At the fort, he says "Getting in is going to be the problem. Maybe we could pose as bandits or better yet, merchants. That place has to have some needs it can't fill with banditry. We could go back to Olegs and see about getting a cart or at least a mule and some supplies. Then come back here and talk our way through the doors."
"We could ask some of our friends to join us in this siege. Kesten and his guys might like to get some action. The prisoners might have some useful information too. We could even see if the kobolds will help."
Eadric listens to everyone's ideas while staring at the fort in the distance. After a lengthy pause he adds to the discussion. Getting in will indeed be a problem. Looking at each of his comrades in arms, he continues, We look nothing like bandits nor merchants. I dare say merchants give this place a wide berth given those inside aren't want to pay for goods. And with the possible exception of Ellaria, none of us are especially gifted in deception or disguise. We know next to nothing about the fort. Its layout, defenses etc. or its inhabitants. Walking in there without preparations would be extreme folly.
Scratching his chin thoughtfully Eadric continues, We could attempt to draw them out, or, as Torod has suggested we could enlist aid for an assault. It might be possible to enlist Kesten and his men or even the kobolds. Maybe even both. If not, and if we do decide to bluff our way inside, then I suggest that we spend some of our extra coin and Oleg's credit on procuring a magical means of disguising ourselves. At least 3 elixirs to alter our appearances, with the fourth of us posing as a captured prisoner. Either Ellaria, or Obi I would suppose. Some other advantages could also be purchased.
I think it best that we finish our mapping duties before returning to Oleg's to make plans and preparations for our assault upon the Staglord. What say you all? Does that seem prudent?
Yes Imiria, it is me. Where are you? Eadric looks around trying to spot the child.
Nothing Imiria has said changes things... therefor Eadric's suggested action still stands. Just waiting for confirmation of the other's wishes...
Knowledge (Nature)
Torod walks in casually and harnesses berries without concern for the thorns. Sometimes it's good being a druid.