Servayn will stand over the prone bandit, waiting for Kalsgrim to make his judgement as to the man's chances for redemption, the blood of the last bandit still slick on the end of his spear.
Ember will sniff the bandits face and snort, clearing his nostrils of the man's smell, before growling, "Not for eating."
"Why don't we see how long we've got," Oleg backhands the coward knocking him into the dust, "I can always close and bar the gates. It would take a hundred of those alchemist fires to burn this place," Lifting the man off the ground he glares into his eyes and turns him towards the other three.
Servayn motions to Ember and drags the prisoner off of the path in front of the trading post towards the right side wall. He does not allow the man to get up from the ground, but remains looming over him, with Ember flanking the man, regarding him through serpentine eyes.
Servayn mutters a quick incantation , but makes no threatening gesture at the man at this point, leaning in to speak,
"If you answer my questions true, I will not take your life. Be calm and certain in your answers, or my magic will detect the lies as they fall from your tongue. I have no wish to kill you, not like some here, and would see you face some lesser judgement for your crimes, as these are uncertain times, and not all are blessed with ideal families or comfortable upbringings."
"I need to know the following things, if I am to plead for leniency;" he says, counting off with his fingers,
"How many yet remain in your band?"
"Tell us of this woman who leads you."
"Where is your encampment?"
"Who is this Stag Lord?"
"Does he have any unusual powers? Tell me what fearsome reputation he possesses."
"Do many other groups of bandits report to him?"
"Hey, hey, I can be your friend! No need to get rough here, buddy," he looks back over to Oleg who is glowering at him. The man is wearing thread bare clothing roughly patched in several places. It's a bit sweat stained from the leather armor he was wearing. His hair is shaggy in need of a cut.
"I dun know how many of us there are we come and go, sometimes there's four at Kressle's camp, sometimes twenty. She's our boss, but her boss is a lunatic named the Stag Lord. I've only been to his fort way down south once, I couldn't find it again if I tried. Wouldn't want to if I did." He keeps rambling on, answering the questions Servayn puts to him, "Our camps about ten hours on horseback straight across the plains and through the forest. If you hit the river just travel along it to the crossing where our camp is at."
He draws a map in the dirt showing some of the terrain on the way to the camp and the river he spoke of, along with an x for the camp.
"I don't know nothing about the Stag Lord other then he's a powerful drunk. I could smell him the liquor on him from fifteen feet away. Not too right in the head either. I saw him punch a horse for spittin' in the fort. Happs told me he beat a man senseless for takin' a sip from bottle of whiskey. Ain't got no face either, just a helmet made from animal skulls with a pair of great antlers."
Lukasz watches the summoner as he takes a diplomatic approach with his questioning. However, when the man starts going on about the Stag Lord, he decides to speak up. Time to play the bad watchman, he thinks to himself as he says, "Come on, how stupid can you be. Doesn't have a face? Of course the man has a face, otherwise how could he be drunk all the time!" Then turning to the others with the interrogation, he adds, "I say we just kill him now and dump him with the rest of his men." Then turning to the prisoner once more, with mean look, "Unless you stop feeding us bandit superstitions and give us some info that we can really use, like how the camp is laid out, or more on this Kessle woman."
Intimidate:
Garick looks at Lakasz in amazement at the work he has saved Now that is handy Lukasz! He turns to Kal seeing the cleaning up of the battle is no longer a problem Well no bogs or what not round here best thing to do is take um off over a couple hills and bury or burn um. I figure burying is the best take a pretty big fire to burn all these bodies, now I have a spade with my gear so thats not the issue I just would like a hand or two ta share the work. He looks to the last bandit guess we got a bit of time to see how big a hole we need he will go over and
"I promise I don't know anymore, I only saw him once when Kressle dragged me down there with a load of goods. Our...I mean.. the bandit camp. I don't want no business with that anymore. I just wanna hunt deer again," he's curled up in a ball on the ground afraid for his life, "Kressle's a thief and a killer through and through. She's got no qualms about stringin' a man up for trying to lay their hands on her. Cept for Happs who she's a little sweet on."
"There's two watch towers 'bout twenty feet up a tree on the west side of camp and the east side. We just got a clearing with a big bonfire that we setup tents and bed rolls around."
The pitiful man has started crying, "Happs...he usually he...he would take an extra day to get back to camp. To kinda celebrate...you know...let us relax on the way back."
Ox stops turning dirt over after a moment of Lukasz's spell. oh sure do it the easy way mate. He says with an appreciative smirk. I say we let Oleg & Svetlana bar and hold the fort, We can leave a couple of bows, the extra arrows, the alchemy fire. And be back tomorrow, if they are the closest camp then we will be in-between them and the fort anyhow, I don't doubt that they came out her without being able to defend themselves. Also to survive out here, you have to be a decent shot with a bow to hunt, right?
I'm going to start digging holes around back if its ok with you Oleg. Actually, do you have a shovel? He glares at the remaining bandit. You let them know if I need to dig another one.shaking his head at the man who is know crying for his misdeeds.
He'll chastise the man on the ground and put in his two cents.This man would have been happily taking a day's trip back right now with the rest of this filth, I say we let him continue his trip where they went. The big man will walk off with a shovel muttering.
Ox will dig a mass grave; they don't deserve as much respect as he's giving them now.
He'll put his back into and all those muscles to work.
Svetlana fetches a pare of shovels for those heading out to bury.
Janku walks about a bit, while the others question the captive. He has lost interest now that the heat of battle is over.
After dodging the work of digging graves, Janku wanders back to the group.
"I know it might sound disgusting, but what if some of us were to don the outer garments...you know cloaks, and armor and such from the bandits, and disguise ourselves as the bandits returning to camp, riding their horses as well". "It might cause them to keep from raising an alarm".
"If we leave tomorrow morning, we should run right into any party sent to look for the raiding bandits, and we might be able to get close enough to them to get a surprise attack". "Especially if we arrange things to happen close to dark".
"The more stealthy of us could flank the party when we get close, and use ranged weapons to start the ambush".
"If we don't meet the party en-route, the disguises still won't hurt in allowing us to get closer to the outpost". "In that case the quieter members could sneak in and scout out the base, before the rest of us attempt our ruse".
"I would guess any party sent to look for this lot would not be suspicious unless they don't run across them on the way". "The key thing would be to keep word from getting back to their base that they were in danger of being attacked".
"If their camp is in the forest as this one says, sneaking up on it shouldn't be too difficult, and besides we could always use the river somehow as well".
"I'm really not familiar with guerrilla tactics, but in some classes we had to learn some basic techniques, so we would know how to counteract them".
Turning to Ox, Lukasz says, "Well, the man says he doesn't know anymore, so why don't you take him along, he looks like he can handle a shovel, and his aid might make him feel what it's like to do a bit of honest work." Gripping the man by his collar, he grimaces as he says, "After today, I had better not see your face in the company of bandits again. If I do, I will make sure that you become just as faceless as the Stag Lord." Lukasz says this as acid begins to form on the tips of his fingers before he drops the glob into the dirt of the courtyard next to the bandits boot, allowing it to sizzle as he starred straight into the bandit's eyes.
Walking to the back of the fort Janku finds three large fairly empty midden pits.
Sounds like a plan. If Ox is allowed to take him along and remains alone, He will let the man help dig the hole big enough for five and then do the dark task of putting a bandit to the sword. He can see it on Kals face that the man is evil and so Today will be his last, so long as no one comes back and intervenes. If the man tries to talk to him he'll punch him and tell him to shut his mouth and get back to digging.
If Servayn would indulge us and have Ember guard our prisoner for a few minutes, we should move out of earshot and discuss our plans.
When it is just the party gathered (and perhaps Oleg or Svetlana if they wish), Kalsgrim will start the discussion. The charter says the penalty for unrepentant banditry is death. This man surrendered immediately from what I was told, and he has given us information that, if truthful, would serve us well in our mission. To my mind that would warrant a penalty lesser than death. I would be inclined to put him back in his armor, but without weapons and bound, and take him with us. If he has told us the truth, we can work on a lesser sentence; perhaps imprisonment up north or indentured servitude to Oleg.
"I do not care if the man lives or dies, but what you are considering is Murder, which makes you as evil as any of them". "Search your souls, before you commit this act". "I will not stop you if that is what you wish to do, but I will have no part in it".
Ox Heaves the man back to the ground and waits for ember to take up guard again.before crossing over towards the group, and slinging the shovels over his shoulder.
Ox crosses his arms throwing an odd look to Janku. We have a charter that charges us to , stomp out banditry, and not only is he a bandit but a would be rapist. With all do respect M'lord, He wasn't repentant until he had a blade at his throat. When he got here, he was ready to take Oleg's goods and his wife, He still hasn't apologized, He has only wept. I think it only takes a moment of thinking about what the day of relaxing would have been like for Svetlana to Realize the right thing to do here. I apreciate your true heart, but at the very least I think we should let Oleg have a say in it, If he wants to give the man Mercy and allow him to be a sevant, then so be it, but I wouldn't blame the man for wanting the sword's justice for him. I have no qualms with being the swords arm, If we want to give him the luxury of trial by combat then so be it. If Gorum judges him innocent then He will stand true.
"Humph," Oleg crosses his arms, "That one came with them the last three times, didn't have any problems with taking my stuff before. I'll not have him work in my post."
Svetlana sets out some fruits and dried meat for lunch.
"I do hope you'll stay here another day before heading out to explore and 'seek vengence.' Why I've only just bandaged several of you up!"
After Ember takes up the guard, pawing at the man idly, Servayn moves over to the others.
"You sensed no evil in his heart, Kalsgrim? We should spare his life?"
Joining in on the decision, Lukasz adds, "I have to agree with Kal on this one, everyone deserves a second chance and I don't care how the man surrendered, he still surrendered. That means killing him is murder. At the same time, I don't think he should we working here either or going with us to the camp, if that is the plan that you want to do. I for one don't want to be heading into a camp of still unknown numbers and fighting them when they might have more than fifteen men waiting for us, we would be outnumbered and on unfamiliar ground. However, if this Kressle did have a fancy for the poor slop that just died, then I have a feeling she'll want to find out what happened to him. I say she come to us than have us go to her. So in short, this man lives for I have no problem in roughing up a bound man, but I am no murderer. And as for marching on the camp, I say we thin out their numbers first."
The bandit looks up at Sevrayn and Lukasz with tear streaks on his grimy face, "I promise I'll tryin' be good. I just thought it'd be easier you know. I didn't really want hurt no one. I even asked Happs if I could stay outside while they got the lady. He said Kressle wanted make a gift of her to the Stag Lord."
"If it helps at all, when we left there was only four men at the camp with Kressle. I knew a couple where gonna come back here in a day or so. There was at least one group making a trip to the Stag Lord's."
Corso is unable to read the man carefully enough to gain a hunch on his intentions.
Corso stands a little on the side, thinking. Humm... Can a man turn to good when confronted with superior numbers, and for how long? Of course he surrendered, but because he had Ox and Ember on both sides of him. He sounds more like "the one who will say whatever is needed to save his life". Would make a great politician indeed!
Sense Motive on the "reformed" bandit: 1d20+4
Listening to Janku, he asks: "Master Janku, what do you mean murder? Doesn't Lord Kalsgrim want is to give this man a shot at redemption? Please explain to me as I can be somewhat slow on the cognition."
Waiting a little after Janku's reply, he adds: "As for me, there is no show of good faith when one is outnumbered. The true test comes when confronted to temptation. This man has shown time and again that his heart is dark. Today, confronted with armed man, seeing his comrades defeated and slain, he shows his true face??? Brothers, let us not fall prey to his deceit, for the man will act according to its nature when pressure is gone."
"And this land here does not provide with means of punishment other than swiftness and efficient. There can be no leniency if we are to succeed. As much as we wish there would be a jail nearby, or a tribunal even, we must instead rely on our conviction and take matters of Law into our own hand, as is warranted by our charter, and as is our goal."Perform (oratory): 1d20+6
"Perhaps his mother should have bashed out his brains then when he stole his first apple at 9 years old", or the guard executed him when he stole his first kiss". When we start judging men, and passing sentence upon them for what they "Might" do we walk a line of danger". "It is but a short step to find reasons to do anything we want". "Many a Tyrant has walked the line of good intention, but when given ultimate power they are ultimately corrupted". "And while we have been given a charter to do what we want with these bandits, in truth, who has the authority to pass this judgement". "Is this land within Brevoy"?
"I question, who game them the right to grant us these goals"? "Are we but privateers"?, and how far are privateers removed from piracy"? "We have a chance here to make a difference, to shape the future of this country, and I only suggest that we carefully consider our options before judging".
"We must be wise and temper what we want to accomplish with how we decide to do so". "If a land is founded in Tyranny, and harsh judgement, then chances are that is how it will be ruled".
"We must not lose site of our goal here, which is to protect the innocent here, and make this land safe for settlement and trade". "Stopping the banditry does not necessarily mean we have to kill every bandit we come accross".
"Many are the souls who turn to banditry because they have no choice". "Many have the souls of true blackness". "But, as men it is not our lot in life to pass judgement, that is the Provence of the gods".
"We have neutralized this particular bandit". "Let us lock him up here somewhere, and when the guards arrive from Brevoy, then can determine his punishment".
"Care not to tread in footprints meant for the gods".
Sense motive on the prisoner.
"I have no fancy words for this debate. We have a mandate to reward bandits with the rope or the sword. I am unconvinced as to his sincerity, and if Oleg doesn't want to retain him here, our only practical choice is to follow our legal mandate from the crown of Brevoy and execute him for banditry, as we were deputized to do."
"Oleg has already made it clear that the man will not work in his post. I have no desire to kill the bandit, but I have no intention of being responsible for giving his life purpose, either, nor will I take the blame when he returns to his warn his allies, or continues a life of lawlessness. There are doubtless many in these lands who deserve a second chance. I do not believe this man is one of them."
Starting to panic at the words he hears the bandit turns to Oleg, "I promise, sur, I didn't want anything to do with your wife. Most of the men thought it was a rotten idea. If'n you knew Kressle though," a shudder passes through him, "It's really terrible out there."
Oleg steps up to him and puts his large, ham-like hands on both sides of the man's head, "You say it's terrible out there."
He nods a little under the merchant's grip.
"Yet you would have taken my wife there. I live on the border of civilization to mind my own business. I have no wish for a kingdom on my doorstep, nor marshals of law, pieces of paper that say a man has a right to kill another or rob them with taxes and fines. I did not know this was the edge that your kind lurk beyond."
There is a shine of tears in the stern man's eyes and his voice grows cold addressing the group, "Your charter says you may punish banditry with sword and rope, for those men have already given up living their lives for their kingdom, and the Swordlords consider them dead already. Men like this...who beg for mercy only at the edge of a sword and follow behind rapists, claiming no choice, have already chosen to give up their lives altogether."
Giving the coward's head a quick twist, Oleg snaps his neck.
"He was dead when he fell off the horse."
"Svetlana, would you mind the afternoon chores. This man won't dig his own grave," Oleg takes one of the spare shovels, throws the bandit over the mule and leads it out to a couple hundred yards out of site for the large grave.
Garick comes out from the stables where he had his own shovel stored with his other gear to see Master Oleg take the deed on himself. Seeing the man in turmoil he rushes to his side. Let me take care of that Master Oleg no need for you to dig this mans grave. I'll put him in the ground where ever you wish. If Oleg lets him he leads the mule over a hill or two far enough that Oleg and Svetlana won't have to wander past it every day. He hollers back to Ox after he takes the lead of the mule Brother bring the rest. We aren't going to bury um where they have to be constant reminders. If Oleg will not hand over the reins and the duty then Garick will go with him and see the deed done.He had heard the discussion going on outside but didn't get outside quick enough to put in his two coppers.
Servayn grunts to see Oleg's rough frontier justice, but only turns to the others, "This decision has apparently been made by the injured party, and whether we agree with it or not, it is done. We should begin making plans to either secure this place, or move quickly to the bandits encampment while there are only a half-dozen men there to defend it. I prefer the latter tactic, as Calistria grants her fortunes to the bold over the hesitant."
"A benefit of seizing their encampment will be that we can ambush those who have gone to pay tribute to the Stag Lord when they return, as well, from the security of their own holdings."
Oleg thanks Garick for offering to do the chore. Then he climbs the ladder to the battlements and leans on the wood wall for a long time staring across the plains with the sun high overhead.
Svetlana gathers up the gold coins from the tarp and makes 7 small packs each with 10 gold and two wrapped trail rations. Moving about the fort she delivers each one and thanks the party member.
With final judgment taken care of, Janku will attend the burials and say a quick prayer over each man's corpse, hoping that in the afterlife, they make better decisions, and sprinkles a bit of iron powder over the face of each man just before they are interred.
Servayn surveys the loot and muses aloud that the longbows are worth some fine coin, but takes instead the two flasks of Alchemist's Fire.
"Garrick, Corso, if one of you would like a flask, let me know. You both also appear to have strong throwing arms."
When Svetlana hands out the parcels, he smiles and bows his head to her, "Thank you, milady."
Reflecting on the events of the past couple minutes, Lukasz comments, "I believe you have a point there Kal. why it is all nice and good to follow your own nature, sticking too that nature too much can lead to disaster, especially in an environment as lawless as the Greenbelt is. Maybe the future will hold more order, but for now we must learn to live by the law of the land."
After he and Ox see to the burial of the bandits. He will come back take any remaining arrows to put with his stockpile. When the missus hands him the bundle he will thank her. He also quietly tries to reassure her out of the hearing of the others. Thanks mum, I hope you have seen your last troubles from these bandits; but don't fret I know some of this lot seems like they belong in manor houses and not out here, but they mean well and do want to do what is best. Just think one day you ans Oleg may have the premier trading post and roadhouse in the region and I for one will never forget your kindness of taking us in and feeding us proper. with that he gives her a smile. He takes the mule to the stable combs it down and checks the other horses as well. He then comes to where the group seems to be mostly gathered Well we have plenty of light left and with those extra horses I bet we could be at their doorstep before dark if we wanted. If we are going though we better hop to it.
If we remain behind long enough to bury the dead, Servayn will help also. Ember will snort at any suggestion that he could help and go prowling around the perimeter, looking for some small, slow and stupid animal that he can devour.
"I will go along with the group, however I'd much rather wait till tomorrow". "The blessings of Gorum, and potent, but limited with a novice such as I".
"And I'm assuming nobody was too keen on the disguising ourselves as the bandit idea, as we just Buried them"?
As the sun progresses through the sky the group meets in the yard. Ox has checked over the horses making sure all of their tack is in good repair. They are of a sturdy breed, a calm disposition not easily spooked. The pack mule wouldn't blink an eye at a fireball. Once everyone has organized their packs and stowed away Svetlana's gift you head out.
It takes a little under three hours of travel across the plains before the group reaches the edge of the forest. Corso and Garick lead the way. Lukasz, Servayn, Ember and Ox travel together. Janku and Kalsgrim follow shortly behind.
The forests of the Stolen Lands are densely vegetated, the woods are crisscrossed with game trails and random clearings. The trees here consist of oaks, beech, rushleaf, and smaller scrub.
Night falls on the charter members as they make their way through the forest. It's nearly midnight when the group comes to the Thorn River. Looking farther up-stream a shallow crossing can be spotted with a large bonfire flickering through the trees on this side of the water.
Current Map of the Greenbelt, party path included
