After the bandits absolutely take advantage of your offers of food, drink, and care, they answer your questions to varying levels cooperation. You at least learn all of their names.
Group 1:
Elsa, the older of the dwarf sisters who was at the camp when you arrived, tells you nothing other than her name, and where you can stick your questions.
Two of the three men with her Scott, a burly man with a dark red beard, and Tudur, a regal looking fellow with a well-kept dark blonde mustache, offered only a bit more about their lives: the two worked on a merchant ship before it was overtaken by pirates. They were given two options: Join or Die. They didn't have much of a moral compass prior to that offer, so it was an easy decision. After that it wasn't much of a jump to do on land what they had done at sea. Scott went on to tell you mostly what you already knew from Herodion: the Stag Lord is in charge, he's never seen him, he only really answered to Kressle-who apparently was the one to convince him and Tudur to turn from pirating to banditry.
Herodion opened up further than he had before, offering the knowledge that two bags of baubles, including Svetlana's ring, were stolen from the camp a few nights prior by a group of filthy mites, though he's not sure where they went.
Group 2:
The younger dwarf sister, Felta - a nature-loving dwarf who's only really there to protect her sister to hear her tell it, was extremely open with the whole bandit operation saying that there are a few more loose in the lands, "and then of course there's the Stag Fort on the northwest shore of Tuskwater. I've only been there once, and they didn't let me inside. I think there's a code-phrase, but Elsa won't tell me what it is." She also knew about Svetlana's ring and said, "the mites have a lair East by Southeast of here in an old sycamore tree, and that's the direction they skittled out of here, so I bet that's where they took it."
The next bandit, Mathis - a sweet young man who apparently grew up an orphan, stealing and sabotaging just to survive - offered the only remaining knowledge you've been seeking, "The phrase to get into the fort, unless they've changed it, is 'By the bloody bones of St. Gilmorg, who wants to know?' And no, I don't know who St. Gilmorg is." The last two bandits, Lloyd - an older gentleman with an unkempt graying beard and hair to match, and Ingemar, a tall, light and handsome specimen of a man didn't have much to offer. Excepting of course Ingemar's offer share a drink from the Stag Lord's personal cache with Mamise and/or Derra.
Kressle can speak, but she spits when Andreas asks to speak with her, "If you're gonna kill me," her raspy voice makes her cough once, but the pain from it makes her suppress the next one, "just kill me."
You had 8 dip rolls, one for each underling. If you want to use a skill with Kressle, you need one more roll.
We probably already have what we need, Andreas. - says Annurian, trying to pull the cavalier sideways to speak without being heard - Let's check which ones of those we have bounties on, and then hit this lair of mites to Southeast for the ring. Unless you feel we can use some of them.
After listening in on each interrogation Gird takes the others aside
"What are we going to do with these bandits? We can't just let them go or they'll be bandits again and it doesn't seem right to capture them just to kill them?
Male HP:13/13 AC:19 T:12 FF:17 F:+4 R:+2 W:+1 Perc:+2 Init:2 Bastard Sword +3, 1d10+2 CMB:+3 CMD:+15 Human Cavalier 2
Sorry, yes I meant Diplomacy not Perception
Andrea rubs his chin, it is clear that he is not fond of his stubble.
Looking at Annurian as Gird comes up..
I agree Annurian, I think we have all that we can get from them. Maybe some of them knows of this Falgrim Sneeg. We can hit the Mites after we turn these bandits over to Restov. We might be able to save some of them from hanging.
As Gird Comes up with the others.
You have a very good point Gird. What can we do with them. Some are beyond redemption and some are just trying to make it through life as best as they can. I think we offer them a chance at redemption. It would help if we could figure out a way to determine which ones are of some moral fiber and which ones are well...Happs and Kressle? Gird, Gage, Mamise...you three are the only spell casters we have, can any one you determine the nature of these bandits. Can anyone detect evil
Andreas speak with a authoritative voice that is loud enough for all in the camp to hear him.
Each of you has helped us in some fashion. I will speak personally with the magistrate in Restov to stay the hangings that await all those that commit banditry. I have a few more questions for each of you. Do any of you know of a man known as Falgrim Sneeg. what can you tell me of him and where is he located?
These next parts are dependent on who is evil and who is not.
If any are Evil or named Kressle:
His tone is sorrowful
The punishment for banditry is death by hanging and we are authorize to pass judgement on you. Please help me to understand why I should not sentence you right now? Help me to understand why you did the things you did
Elsa and Felta:
Andreas takes the two sisters off to the side and talks to them alone.
Elsa, Felta. You have a few options in your future. Some of those option are bad and some are good. The bottom line, it is your choice. By the charter granted to us, we have the authority to pass judgment on you right here and now. As you know the penalty for banditry is death by hanging. That is not a pleasant option. I have an offer for both of you that is on the table as of this moment. This is dependent on the approval of my companions. My offer.. help me. Help us make the lands safer, better than we found them, to bring civilization to the green belt. I am offering you a chance to be part of a new life. A roof over your heads, food on the table, an honest living...A future for you and yours.
Scott and Tudor:
Andreas takes the two bandits to the side and talks to them alone.
Gentlemen, You seem to be getting yourselves into one hole after another. You made the choice to become pirates and then bandits, because it was that or death. You are kind of in the same boat again. By the charter granted to us, we have the authority to pass judgment on you right here and now. As you know the penalty for banditry is death by hanging. That is not a pleasant option. I have an offer for both of you that is on the table as of this moment. This is dependent on the approval of my companions. My offer... Help us make the lands safer, better than we found them, to bring civilization to the green belt. I am offering you a chance to be part of a new life. A roof over your heads, food on the table, an honest living...A future for you and yours.
Mathis:
Andreas looks the young man up and down.
Mathis, first let me thank you for the password. That will help us greatly. You had a hard life did you not. Tough being an orphan. You did what you had to do in order to survive. You made the choice to steal, to be a thief. I can not say that I understand how and why these things happened to you. I am sorry, By the charter granted to us, we have the authority to pass judgment on you right here and now. As you know the penalty for banditry is death by hanging. That is not a pleasant option. I have an offer for you that is on the table as of this moment. This is dependent on the approval of my companions. My offer.. Help us make the lands safer, better than we found them, to bring civilization to the green belt. I am offering you a chance to be part of a new life. A roof over your head, food on the table, an honest living...A future for you and yours. I am offering you a home, A family.
Lloyd and Ingemar:
Gentlemen, What I am I to do with you two? I am not sure you would like the reward that is awaiting you for being a bandit. So what am I to do with you? I can not just let you go, it would be a matter of days and you would be right back to harassing the innocent. Can not let that happen..so what am I to do? hmmm
I can escort you to Restov for justice. I will do what I can to keep you alive instead of letting them hang you. You could help us restore the Greenbelt...We can give you a second chance at life. I need to confer with my companion before I can say yes of course.
Herodion :
Andreas walks with Herodion beside him as an equal. His voice is neutral in tone.
Herodion, You are charged with banditry and will most certainly be sentence to death by hanging. Yet I am not sure that that option is right for you. I see more in you. I want you to help us. Help us make the lands safer, better than we found them, to bring civilization to the green belt. I am offering you a chance to be part of a new life. A roof over your head, food on the table, an honest living...A future for you and yours.
Even if we could detect evil, unless one of them is secretly an evil cleric, secretly undead, secretly an outsider, or has over 4 hit dice, we wouldn't see any aura...
Gage sidles up to Gird and tries to whisper to him inconspicuously.
"Pssst, hey can you tell who is 'beyond redemption'? I got nothin'."
Mamise scowls at Ingemar. "Don't flirt with me, you slimeball."
"I have no magic that might help us with that, and frankly I don't really care. These guys preyed on the travelers, they raided Oleg and Svetlana, I'm quite against enlisting them. Settling this land should be a reward for enterprising souls, not these sons of a motherless goat, not to mention that they'd run off with whatever they can plunder the moment we took our eyes off them."
"Nah, let's send them to Restov as a gift to the Mayor, he'll send them to work in the mines or somesuch. We can gift-wrap them and all, Kressle'd look so cute with a ribbon on top of her head."
HP 15/15, AC20, T13, FF17, F+4, R+3, W+0, Perc+6,Base Atk +1;CMB +3; CMD16, Hero Pt. 1, Int+3
Cavalier (Beastrider)
Derra growls and snarls at the slimeball who just tried to flirt with Mamise.
"Watch it or you'll lose morrrre than yourrrr prrrride, and trrrrust me, you'll lose that too."
It would seemed that both the tiger and the fox have similar dislikes for scumbags.
Aid Another Diplomacy:1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20Seeing if Derra can help Andreas with his diplomacy roll.
Derra then turned her attention to helping Andreas, although she whispers to Mamise before aiding the knight in his interrogation, "Maybe when we settle forrrr the night, you and I could get to know each morrrre in a...morrre intimate way if you know what I mean."
The tiger striped catfolk winks at Mamise, hoping the fox woman gets her meaning.
Mamise's face flushes to pale white, purplish red and sickly green in a way that has nothing to do with her shapeshifting abilities.
"Ah- Wh- Huh- I- Uhm. Wow. One to easily speak your mind, aren't you? Erm, well, I'll have to, uh, think about it, uhm, I- I mean, I'll- Of course, Gage, I'll be there in a moment!"
She hurries towards the bard, eyes wide as platters, furiously overthinking.
What. On. Golarion. Merciful Starsong, wasn't that story with Karlos enough? What is her angle? Does she seek to gain something? Or is she only out for fun? I mean, it is fun, but- What if then it turns awkward? She doesn't look bad, but she might want to- AAAAAAAARGH
Realizing that she's staring at Gage without saying anything, she tries to act calm and collected. And she spectacularly fails.
"Cheese! Yes, some cheese sounds so lovely! I'll take a slice, would you like some, Gird?"
A damsel in distress at last! ...or maybe I should find a way to get her goat.
Oh
Gage looks around until he spots Caladrel the donkey.
"Right this way," Gage lead the way towards the animal "I keep the cheese in my secret stash."
Gage covers his mouth with one hand in an exaggerated way, continuing in a whisper "Shh, don't tell nobody. It's a secret."
Annurian just got distracted by himself inspecting the ropes on the bandits and the conditions of the camp. The skinwalker wasn't worried, but thoughtful about the missions at hand, and not particularly interested on the cheese conversation.
BTW, Gage will drag Mamise over if she's too stunned to follow by herself...
Once they get out of range of eavesdroppers, Gage whispers to Mamise
"Wanna tell 'em that we need cheese to detect people that are 'beyond redemption'?
We could say it's magic cheese that smells like evil. Do Kitsune have good noses?"
Mamise takes several breaths to steady herself.
"No, that would be just silly, and, well, inconsequential. I- no, I just need a quiet moment to get back in focus. Let's grab a snack, I didn't have a proper breakfast."
"Fair."
Gage gets some of their food out of the pack saddle. After handing most of it to Mamise, he shouts back at the others
"Sorry, we're a bit short on magic with which we might see into the hearts of men!
Would a slavering beast that eats the hearts of evil men suffice?"
Kressle sighs, looks at Andreas knowingly, and says "The Stag Lord is a man among men, and the greatest leader infer whom I've ever had the pleasure of serving. I don't care if people say he's an incurable drunk who has an old man locked in the dungeon of the fort out of whom he beats all his seemingly wise schemes and tactics," her knowing look becomes more pronounced, "I'll never betray him."
Male HP:13/13 AC:19 T:12 FF:17 F:+4 R:+2 W:+1 Perc:+2 Init:2 Bastard Sword +3, 1d10+2 CMB:+3 CMD:+15 Human Cavalier 2
Andreas watches Mamise talk about her feelings on the bandits.
I respect your feelings on this topic. I agree and disagree with your views. You have a very good point about the trust level we would be giving them. Yes they did prey on the innocent and should be punished for their crimes. But sometimes people are forced into situations that are beyond their control, some fight it while others flee from it. Some are able to move on with their lives, most are not. Then there are the ones that are not so lucky, the ones that feel they have no recourse but to do what they have to in order to just survive. The truly unlucky ones sometimes run into those He looks at Kressle that take advantage of their misfortune and use that to their own agendas. Most of these bandits are harden criminals who should face true justice and they will. Then again there are some whose stories ring true to me and I wish to give them a second chance at life. I wish to have them pay for their crimes but not with their lives. I want to give them a helping hand, to reshuffle the cards that life dealt them.
Andreas looks at Mamise with understanding, his voice is strong and confident. His voice is just loud enough that the bandits hear him.
A very old sect of Knights felt that if you defeated your enemy in combat, their life was yours to do with as you felt was right. Some of those knights ended the life of those they defeated and some spared them out of respect. Then there were those that felt even an enemy can be made to see the error of their ways, to be made anew. They took those defeated enemies and trained them, inspired them, taught them a better way of life. To reform them. I would like to try to reach them, to show them that there is a better way of life.
He looks around at his companions.
Andreas walks up to Kressle and stand before her. He tries to talk to here but she spits at him, telling him to just kill her.
Kressle, I was hoping that you would be more receptive to my questions. Banditry is a dying business in the green belt, I had hope that you would see the light and changed your ways. I see I was mistaken.
He turns to leave when Kressle talks again about the Stag Lord. He kneels down in front of her and looks her in the eyes.
I thank you for the information and I will respect your loyalty. I just wish that you would understand that a man of his caliber does not deserve your loyalty. We will turn you over to the Restov authorities. May the gods have mercy on your soul.
With an apologetic look he stands up and moves away to stand with the others.
Herodion and Mathis each make it very clear, if in vague terms, that they would like nothing more to be agents of this new civilization, preferring an honest living under honest leadership to their current lives of necessity.
Felta expresses approval of such a life as well, but after looking across the way at her sister, she ends with a grim look on her face, saying, "I can't leave my sister."
Again, so sorry for the delay. Finally got a day off w/o chores. Hooray stormy weather.
Eating a cracker, a calmer Mamise listens to Andreas. "Perhaps. If you are willing to take responsibility for them... We may try and see"
Approaching Kressle, she puts on a sly smile. "Oh, it's quite alright. I trust that you would never tell us where this fort is located, right? And you would never tell us of any code words, secret entrances, or anything which could be used to get us in, eh, love?"
Kressle sees a pair of her underlings chewing the fat with Andreas and says, "You lot seem resourceful enough without me doing ya any favors, especially ones that'll have me face to face with St. Gilmorg before you can say 'by his bloody bones.'"
Aaaand we have a double check on the passphrase."Your loyalty is exemplar, I must say."
Sneaking up to Andreas, she whispers to him. "So, Kressle validated what the others said. The old trick, like "you'll never make me say that the secret is something and somesuch". So, in a way, we can say she cooperated. I'll let you choose how to deal with this."
"So, y'all, back to the trading post? We have a few things to do in this area, but I'd rather not drag all these nice future laborers and fieldhands while exploring the Stolen Lands, soooo..."
Male HP:13/13 AC:19 T:12 FF:17 F:+4 R:+2 W:+1 Perc:+2 Init:2 Bastard Sword +3, 1d10+2 CMB:+3 CMD:+15 Human Cavalier 2
Andreas nods at mamise.
Fenn could you see if that wagon is serviceable. If so we can load up everything in it, hook up some of the horses and take it with us. Tie the prisoners together in a chain. So if one runs they will not get far without all of them running at the same time. We can make for Oleg's and then from there we take the prisoners to Restov. I do believe there is a reward for the capture of bandits. I suggest that Mamise and Gage drive the wagon with Gird and Fenn covering the prisoners from the back. Annurian will take point and Derra you take rear guard. I will ride along side of the wagon.
He looks at each of his companions in turn
Is this acceptable to everyone?
Andreas walks over to Herodion and Mathis
You will have to walk until we find more horses. When we get to Oleg's, We will have a talk with Oleg and his wife. There are some bridges that we will need to mend in order to move forward. Now onto something different..I am worried about the dwarves, Felta is willing to go to prison for her sister and that is admirable. I wish there was another way to save them both. What knowledge can you give me that will help with changing Elsa's thinking.
Andreas does try to talk to Elas as they ride.
In a calm and respectable tone, he tries to talk some sense into Elsa.
Elsa, there is a better life out there, I am offering you a second chance at a life with your sister by your side. Please do not let your sister go to prison. I see good in you both and I know you want more than what you have right now. Look at your sister, she is loyal to you. She is willing to stay by your side even if it means hanging. I admire such loyalty and it is one of the traits I saw in her. It is those traits that drives me to extend an offer for a new life. Those traits are in your blood as well...loyalty, honor, courage and a unparalleled dedication to each task that you undertake. Think on what I have said, we have some time yet. Think of a future for you and your sister. Diplomacy:1d20 + 7 ⇒ (17) + 7 = 24 Not sure if there are any bonuses from talking to Herodion and Mathis if any at all.
Male HP:13/13 AC:19 T:12 FF:17 F:+4 R:+2 W:+1 Perc:+2 Init:2 Bastard Sword +3, 1d10+2 CMB:+3 CMD:+15 Human Cavalier 2
Andreas sighs, and he appears sad.
If only it were that simple. I can not let you go, there is not guarantee of what you will do with your new freedom. I can not turn a blind eye to your crimes. Justice must be served in some fashion. I have made you and your sister an offer. I have given you a chance at a better life, to help us reclaim the lands, to build something lasting. You and your sister will be turned over to the authorities in Restov. I had hoped you would see the benefit in joining us. I am sorry that you have not. Truly I am sorry.
Male HP:13/13 AC:19 T:12 FF:17 F:+4 R:+2 W:+1 Perc:+2 Init:2 Bastard Sword +3, 1d10+2 CMB:+3 CMD:+15 Human Cavalier 2
Felta does not deserve to be punished for her sisters stubbornness. What am I to do? They are bandits, I tried to to make them see the light of a better life. Maybe instead of trying to make them see my way..I should try to see their view of things. Elsa, I am at a loss to understand how you got to be in the employment of Kressle. I would really like to know what happened. I think the story is worth hearing before we get to Restov. I would like to try one more time..lol I will try to take 20 if I may.
HP 15/15, AC20, T13, FF17, F+4, R+3, W+0, Perc+6,Base Atk +1;CMB +3; CMD16, Hero Pt. 1, Int+3
Cavalier (Beastrider)
Derra blew a lock of her hair from in front of her face.
"I'm just glad you'rrre not putting cheese on that cracker Mamise. I've neverrrr liked cheese. Besides, I do hope we can deal with these bandits efficiently and quickly."
Male HP:13/13 AC:19 T:12 FF:17 F:+4 R:+2 W:+1 Perc:+2 Init:2 Bastard Sword +3, 1d10+2 CMB:+3 CMD:+15 Human Cavalier 2
When we get to Oleg's Outpost; if there are guards from Brevoy, we can pass along the prisoners to them to escort to Restov. If not we will have to escort them ourselves or we could just make for Restov right now and be done with them. Leaving us free to explore on our way to the outpost.
Mamise frowns slightly, her motion sickness already kicking in. "Uhm, do we want to carry all this stuff back to Restov? At least let's stop at the post, so we can restock Oleg and Svetlana and get some gold in our pockets."
"her companion" being Mamise's companion? Gage is fine :P
Gage gesticulates with his two-thirds eaten hunk of cheese in hand as he chimes in.
"I'd like to point out that I have a scroll I'd like to rub in the faces of my half brothers when next we leave the green belt,
but until we hear of them visiting Restov, I'd prefer that we fill Oleg's store with liberated goods and our pockets with coin." And cheese, now that I think about it...
"Yes they are correct, carrying lots of goods around on our backs as we don't have a wagon is soo passe. Let Oleg sell it off to someone else and have them lug it off."
Gird start searching for something edible in his pack now.
Okay, you're still definitely headed to Oleg's, and you can assume (and correctly so), that someone will have heard of your exploits and some sort of permanent answer to your efforts will be available once you arrive.
The question is, are we all agreed on a two-day walk/hustle-rest-walk/hustle non-exploratory trip back? That discussion kinda got drowned in loot-talk...
Male HP:13/13 AC:19 T:12 FF:17 F:+4 R:+2 W:+1 Perc:+2 Init:2 Bastard Sword +3, 1d10+2 CMB:+3 CMD:+15 Human Cavalier 2
I see on the map that there is a wagon. Is that serviceable. If so we would not have to carry all that stuff back with us. I also am not sure which one is closer...Olegs or Restov?
I think we all agree that we want to get back and get rid of the bandits and then explore....I think
