As we back track the bandits I keep an eye out for food.
Ulryk saddled Rynel and decided to leave his mule and cart with Oleg and the tradepost this day. He took a few of his belongings out of the cart and placed them in saddlebags as best he could, but much of his material wealth remained with the trusty mule.
He led Rynel out of the tradepost on foot, looking over the tracks as well, though letting the experienced tracker Damen take the lead. "My suggestion is that we move quickly to strike the bandits before they are prepared. From the map we have received it seems likely they are waiting near the joining of these two rivers, which should warn us as we get closer. We'll follow the trail, deal with the bandits, then with luck double back to Olegs. We can more thoroughly explore afterwards. Agreed?"
Ulryk studies the tracks once more and then climbs into the saddle. Much like brigid, he too has grown more comfortable riding a steed. "We shouldn't need to worry too much about food this time. The bandits had little in the way of food supplies, which suggests that their camp cannot be too far from the tradepost."
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With your weapons ready and mounted, the party heads off into a dreary, gray dawn.
The first few hours are fairly easy, with Damen stopping from time to time to ensure you are still on the right track. In the distance you can see what first looks like a gray/green smudge, but soon reveals itself to be a forest. The path follows the edge of the woods for about 2 hours before it climbs into much rougher terrain. It is much slower going in these rugged conditions and it take you almost 4 hours to reach the river that is marked on your map as the Thorn river. It enters the dense woods, however Damen's keen eyes spot a path slightly hidden behind a number of low bushes. Soon you are enveloped in the gloom of the forest. The trees are just starting to bloom, and the addition of the canopy does little to help your vision in this dark, and slightly damp realm. The smell of the loam and the constant dripping of condensation on the leaves puts everyone on edge. The path is narrow, allowing for only single file riding.
As the light fades you feel you must be getting close to your objective.
"Given the poor showing those other bandits gave at the trading post we could maybe win if we just attacked the camp head on, but personally I hate fair fights what you say we go around the camp and just keep a watch on it with out being noticed, then whenever a bandit leaves -or is coming back- we ambush them"
Ulryk pauses on his mount and keeps his voice low, his his eyes constantly moving about as he tries to take in and absorb the details of his environment.
"There are likely to be more of them then were encountered at the tradepost. I don't think rushing in would be wise. From what I remember of the map Happs drew, there should be two blinds on either side of the stream. Those are likely concealed locations which the bandits have placed watchmen with bows. If possible, i'd like to take that out first. The light is quickly fading." Ulryk looked upwards, but little of the sky could be seen through the canopy. He then turned toward Damen. "Do we push forward and strike at dusk, or hold here and wait till first light? Strike the bandits while they have not yet broken their fast?"
Ulryk's dark eyes soon fastened on Brigid, before roaving over Svetlana and Leorn. He "Perhaps we should send one or two of our stealthiest to investigate the camp and the blinds. Get a better idea of it's make up. If we decide to strike now, taking out the blind on the far side of the stream quietly could be beneficial. However, if we decide to wait for first light, we must not engage. We don't want to put them on alarm. My naturual inclination would be to send Brigid and Svetlana forward. However, if Leorn feels up to the task perhaps he can take Svetlana's place?"
Ulryk looked between everyone assembled, eager to get an idea of where they stood. He was in agreement with Kent that a headon fight would not be the best way to approach the situation. Better to scout the area, pick some off, and then strike with surprise.
Ulryk had pulled out his bow and was testing the string. He knew his skill with the bow did not match Brigid's or even Damen's, but he was not a bad archer by any means. Of course his bow prevented him from bringing his vast degree of strength into play.
Brigid nods once at the nomination to do some scouting. She listens to the suggestions and studies the waning light. It vill be a dark night, in these voods.
She waits for the decision whether to attack at dusk or first light. If they are to wait, she will remove her mail shirt, since without it her stealth is greatly improved.
Otherwise, she'll keep it on, favoring its defense to its penalty to her movement.
Moving through the forest, Svetlana noted her growing comfort level on horseback. As a member of a noble house, some riding had been required of course, but it never had been a favorite activity. Besides, riding of that nature was more for show than practicality. As the group approached the suspected bandit encampment, the priestess gathered around with her companions to discuss tactics. best to let those with training in these matters lead the way, she thought as Ulryk pitched his plan. She nodded as the warrior leaned away from a frontal assault, I too think we should deal with the blinds before the fort itself. Let's take advantage of our position and use a little trickery, yes? The last was added with a mischievous grin. Looking at Ulryk she added playfully, of course, I'll do what ever you want me to, but in a more serious yet excited tone added but I'd love to be part of sneaking up on the blinds to see what's what. Who wants to come with me?
Ulryk looked to Damen. "I personally think that we should make camp tonight and hit them at dawn's light. It seems likely that most will be asleep by then or not truly ready for an attack."
He glanced back to Svetlana and Brigid. His hand going to his chin and stroking across the growing hairs of his brown beard. "I propose Damen find us a well concealed place to make camp nearby. Then Svetlana and Brigid creep forward to scout the area." Ulryk kept his voice low, but their was concern in his eyes. It was clear he was worried about sending the women ahead alone, despite fully believing in their capabilities. It was hard to dispel years of lessons in chivalry.
"Don't engage the enemy unless absolutely necessary, but make note of the positioning of their watch if any, how many they number, and any security measures like traps, tripwires, or alarms they might have set up. Then get back here so we can plan for our morning attack. Does this plan sound good to everyone? Or does anyone else have a better idea or suggestion?"
"Do either of you have a whistle or horn to blow in case things go amiss?" He added almost as an after thought. The best he had was a small iron bell, but doubted it's ringing would travel the distance back to camp.
"why should we attack them in their encampment at all? Why not just wait and pick off any that leave the camp. That way they don't get any advantage of terrain. If they figure out what we are doing only 1 of three things can really happen.
1.They send out a large party to hunt us down. This means we can ambush them out of their camp.
2.They stop sending people out in which case we have just solved the bandit problem hooray fear will keep them in
3. they keep sending guys out for us to ambush never learning."
"in any event the more that we pick off before hand the less we will have to fight later, It's not as if bandit camps just grow bandits there are a limited number of them"
Svetlana frowned slightly at Kent's suggestion. While I'm sure a few of us would be quite comfortable spending night after night waiting to ambush whomever emerges from the camp, I'd be happier getting done what we need to here and moving on to the greater exploration at hand. In any event, let's first scout this blind on our side of the river. The priestess pointed to western side of the stream, and then head south to cross the water and back north to scout the encampment and second blind. This would work, yes?
Addressing Ulryk she adds, sadly, no, no whistle or bell. But rest assured Brigid and I won't be looking for any fights just yet. Strictly an information gathering run, yes? Svetlana's nod took in the stoic archer as well, as if to confirm the woman had no intentions of violence without the rest of the group.
After Damen located a suitable campsite for the night, Svetlana busied herself with setting up her bedroll and supplies. It would need to be a cold camp, so as to not alert the bandits, but that didn't bother the priestess much. Likewise, her spell prevented the cold from touching her and thereby another problem was eliminated. Yet she still knew sleep would not come easy. I wish we could go after the bandits tonight!
sigh "fine if you all can't wait. I just like to do things properly".
Before I go to sleep I cast using my bonded object endure elements
As if to confirm Svetlana's presumption, Brigid removes her armor, though she reequips herself with her array of weapons.
When ready, she moves off into the woods toward the encampment.
"Kent, I would not be adverse to your plan, but I fear their was a possibility that you have not included and which worries me. A few men disappearing would work fine, but as Happs and Mel seemed to indicate the force in that camp is not their full number. They mentioned a leader by the name of Kressle who is good with hand-axes, but they also mentioned a Stag Lord to whom Kressle takes her orders." Ulryk had considered a prolonged pick them off as they leave tactic as well, but internally ruled against it.
"What happens if they send for greater reinforcements? We can only ambush them if they travel north along this path, all other directions will be more difficult for us to pick them off. Right now we have the element of surprise. They do not know they have a new adversary. Why should we give them a chance to react? If we erradicate this camp, we will sever another appendage of this bandit organization. It will likely be a long while before this bandit King realizes that something is afoot. These are supposedly dangerous lands afterall." Ulryk said simply. He knew he was not the end all or be all here. Kent's idea had a good sense to it and likely there were things he himself was overlooking.
"We could always take over this camp once we eliminate Kressle and whoever is currently here. Both of those scum we caught indicated that bands like their own trickle back to this camp. We could use it as an ambush location. Maybe they will think us their comrades and we could get the drop on them as well."
Stealth Check for whenever we head out
Stealth Check
"why not then just ambush any messagers that they try and send out? There is no reason that we can't just circle the camp every day and check for tracks going out"
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Both Brigid and Svetlana disappear into the surrounding gloom, moving quietly and keeping to the many shadows.
After almost 20 minutes you notice the trail you are on turns more into a real track; one with wagon ruts. And sure enough, not a few minutes later, looming out of the gloom you see a large four-wheeled wagon on the track. The gurgle of the swollen stream to your right helps mask any noise you might be making. You can also see a dim glow far off to the right, across the stream.
As the party made camp, Damen smirked a little. "One of the benefits of fighting bandits in a lawless land is that they get lazy and over-confident. Not like fighting bandits in Brevoy... there they have the wits to cover their trails, to keep from being destroyed by a Medvyed raiding party."
He tended to his horse as the tactics were discussed. "More information is always better for a situation like this, so I agree with Ulyrk and Svetlana. I imagine you and Brigid can handle anything you find. I would suggest we hit the camp shortly before first light, however, so as to catch the bandits in their deepest sleep and give us any extra advantage we can get."
"I am somewhat concerned about those other groups that filter back to this camp. We have no idea how many there are out there, so unless we intend to hold the camp for weeks and wait to intercept all of them, sooner or later they will know something is afoot. I suppose that is inevitable, but it is something to keep in mind."
Ulryk looked pleased with the campsite that Damen had selected and pulled his fur cloak tightly about him, knowing that this would likely be a cold evening as only the smallest of fires, if any, could be made. They would need to keep hidden just in case the bandits had patrols. He doubted it, but better to take no chances.
"Damen, do you know what kind of wild beasts roam these lands? Perhaps we can make the campsite seem as if it fell to an animal? A pack of wolves perhaps?" Ulryk had been keeping his eyes out for any animal tracks or identifications of the natural eco-system here as well, but he suspected Damen was more knowledgeable of such things.
I think you might want to ask me about the wild animals in these parts.
The darkness growing, Svetlana strained her eyes at the wagon and frowned. Didn't expect that here, unless it's one they've stolen. The priestess motioned to Brigid to hold for a moment as she looked for signs of movement nearby. It none was seen then she gave a second signal and cautiously approached the wagon, using it for cover against bandits further on.
Brigid remains still and silent, her focus intense upon the wagon ahead. Less relying on sight for anything but signs of movement, she strains her perception for any sign of guards around the wagon. If she detects nothing she'll move with Svetlana up to get a better view of the encampment in the faint light.
Damen nodded to Ulryk. "I'm not as familiar with the area as I could be, but based on what we've seen and the proximity to Brevoy I'd expect us to find many of the same animals. It is less settled, though, so perhaps there is a larger proportion of more dangerous animals. Kent's knowledge has seemed to be... ah, a bit more general than mine. He may be able to shed more light on the matter."
"I considered suggesting we present the camp as being attacked by some kind of large animals - I could probably fabricate the appearance, anyway. But there are several drawbacks, particularly in that we'd have to leave shredded corpses behind and leave most of the valuables in the camp. No, if we're to do this it's better we do it properly, and get back what we can of Oleg's goods."
He mused, stroking the beard that had grown over the past weeks he'd been traveling and waiting. "We could always clear the camp and then leave behind traps. Not especially my strength, and it leaves the chance of some innocent wandering through, but it might be worth doing just so we can check them from time to time and see if anyone has been through."
Ulryk only seemed to half pay attention to the conversation and by the way his eyes kept moving off in the direction of the bandit camp, it was clear he was trying to see something in the darkness, though failing.
After a moment he reached into one of the saddlebags on his sorrel Rynel and provided some oats for the animal and for himself he ripped off a hunk of bread from a heavy loaf that was not yet stale and sliced some pieces from a chunk of a light yellow semi-hard smear-ripened cheese dotted with caraway seeds. Locals of Brevoy might know it as Awareza valley cheese.
"Any of you are welcome to some if you wish." Ulryk said indicating the cheese and bread. His eyes again darted in the direction of the bandit camp, but he realized there was little he could see and turned back to the rest, settling down on his camp blanket.
"Traps might work. There shouldn't really be many innocent folks wandering about these parts. The other alternative is we can dismantle the camp entirely. Make it look like the bandits picked up and moved the site. It wouldn't be unthinkable. Any who happen upon it later may in fact just think this Kressle and group found a big score and stole off with it." Ulryk made no attempt to hide his negative opinion of bandits. "After all these are bandits. They are by habit treacherous and disloyal. The quickness with which Happs and Mel turned on one another is a clear example of such."
Given the uncomfortable preceding of the day before and the following silent treatment I simply keep up with the group.
I felt safer travelling in a group but given how they regarded banditry, I often wonder IF I am actually safe with them. Still, they seemed nice enough and they did save me. Its best to give them a chance.
Arriving at the bandit camp we set up to scout. The two ladies in the group decide to go on ahead. I consider volunteering but reject the idea because three scouts simply has a greater chance of being discovered.
In the meantime I simply sit quietly, pouring through a journal I have in my possession and keep to myself awaiting any plan that takes place.
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Ok, both women make it to the wagon without mishap. Where do you want to go from here? Brigid you were not able to see the blind from where you were before, but perhaps now that you are closer you might be able to locate it. The temperature is also dropping as the sun goes down. I know it is not a problem for Svetlana, but Brigid is starting to feel cold.
Svetlana slinks up next to the wagon, putting the vehicle between herself and the suspected positions of the west bank blind and encampment. Although she knew the need for speed, given the rapidly setting sun, she also knew that getting caught was the worst possible outcome. Scanning the area in front of the cart, the priestess attempts to pick up signs of both the encampment and the blind.
At the campsite...
Ulryk finished chewing on his bread and cheese and began to set up an area to rest. He would not sleep or even undo his armor until Brigid and Svetlana returned from their scouting. After he set his bag out on the cold ground, he glanced over at Leorn.
"Leorn, you said you are an explorer, right? What do you hope to find out here? You must have some lead that you are going off of correct? What can you us about these lands or their history?" Ulryk gave a side-long glance to Kent, knowing that the Wizard likely had comparable information as well and could fill in any gaps or correct any mistakes made by their newest companion.
Ulryk himself had not expected these lands to hold ancient history. As far as he heard from his peers they were empty wilderness that had never been truly settled. But perhaps he was mistaken.
Brigid moves up to the wagon with Svetlana after covering her for a few heartbeats. From her new vantage, she'll survey the camp as before.
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Ok..we will move to semi-hidden text now, mostly because you guys are far from the others, and they would not know what you will.
A quick note for Brigid; plese put the name of the skill you are rolling for in front of the roll...that way I know what you are doing...I can usually figure it out, but this will just make sure we are both on the same page!!
Neither of you can actually see where the blind might be....there are 3 trees which might hold a blind, but in the growing dark, and the newly grown foliage, it is difficult to tell which tree holds the blind. What next?
Brigid silently points to the three trees, then points to herself, holds up one finger, then one of the three trees. Then she points to Svetlana, holds up one finger, and another of the three trees. She holds her hand over her brow miming looking, then points back to the spot they're currently at. She looks at her as if expecting a question.
If there's nothing from Svetlana, Brigid moves toward the first tree she pointed to. She'll get closer until she spots the blind or absence of one, then returns back to the wagon.
hold
I look at Ulryk and ponder for a moment. "I came here mostly for the freedom it offered. I had some hints and nudges there may be wealth to be had in these lands as well as a lot of possibilities for discovery. I love looking into history and I was curious about the history of these lands themselves."
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As Brigid begins to cross the area towards the tree, Svetlana notices something catching the dying sunlight filtering through the branches. Before she has a chance to say something, Brigid crosses the area and the sound of chimes, or small bells can be heard off towards the trees where you think the blind is located.
Roll for initiative
Stifling a swear, Brigid moves away from the tripline she triggered while readying her bow.
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Bandits Initiative:
Bandits Perception:
Sorry to say that you fell into an ambush. The bells have alerted the guards in the tree, and they have spotted the two of you sneaking towards them. A voice calls out, "Halt. Stop and be identified. What is the password." Though called out loud enough for you to hear, it was not bellowed with any great force. Also the voice seems to be almost matter-of-fact about this incursion.
Do you think the Stag Lord's entourage gives half a copper for your bleeding password?? Svetlana's voice rang with disgust as the priestess walked casually toward the voice. She wanted to move the conversation quickly toward the trees to keep voices down and ideally keep the rest of the bandit camp out of it. What is your name? The Stag Lord and the rest of our visitation is only minutes behind and right now you are delaying things. He told us that you would have some pathetic "alarm" here but he'll be quite upset to see that we could make it this close before being called out. That is a very poor way to begin the inspection. Look, you seem to want to do your best here so all of you up there come down now and report with me to the Stag Lord. He is VERY upset with Kressle and by coming with us you can be on the right side of this inspection. Believe me, you do NOT want to be on his wrong side. We are wasting time. Come down here and lets get moving.
Bluff Check , assuming they're males up there.
She waits, ready and watching for any cue from Svetlana.
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Bandits Sense Motive:
A confused voice answers Svetlana.
"The Stag Lord? Here? We weren't told nuthin about that, was we Vik. Just stay there and we'll be down in a jiff."
You can hear something being thrown down from the trees, then a figure climbing down a knotted rope appears in the tree right in front of Brigid.
Two rough looking men dressed in dirty leather armor and carrying bows and short swords move to stand in front of you.
"Ok, now what is this about the Stag Lord?"
Svetlana barely spares a nod to Brigid before leading the two men back in the direction of Ulryk, Damen and the others. Inside the priestess almost giggled, Away from the encampment and right into our midst for a decisive advantage! This is fun!