Raven sighs. "I'll do it. I'm the only woman here who might be able to overpower him in a straight fight. Don't want any of you to actually end up in bed with that monster."
Raven turns towards the group. "I have a plan for the other bandits. Even a little bit of this grog will probably be enough to get one of this bandits drunk out of their minds. Quint, make sure you keep the party going with dancing and singing and s%#+. Everybody, fake that you're drinking hard. If you have to, take a sip or two, but no more. Once they're all s$$~headed, wait for them to nod off then hogtie them to make sure they aren't going anywhere. Keep an eye out for Auchs, Dovan, and Akiros. The first two are probably too dumb and too sly to get drunk, respectively, and maybe the rest of you can get Akiros to lay down his arms-maybe even fight for us. Kressle made it sound like he honestly had nowhere else to turn to but banditry. What do you think?"
"Sounds good to me. If you'd like, I can talk the boss into bed. I expect I am entertaining enough, and we have enough booze, to make the unpleasant actions impossible. Once he's out, he can be removed in a more permanent fashion easily eough I suppose."
Alamina places a hand on Raven's forearm, and gives her a warm smile.
"It's just one option, after all. And I am more than willing to shoulder the risk."
Quint shakes his head. "I'm against one of you trying that. Who knows what could go wrong? You'd be alone, and vulnerable. No woman should have to let herself be used like that."
He sighs.
"Of course I can't stop you if you want to do it, though."
Raven, for the first time that any of you remember, actually smiles. Not a quick ghost of a grin, not a pained grimace, not a faux-psychotic smirk, but an actual smile. "Thanks, Alamina. From what Kressle told me, though, the Stag Lord is enough of a drunkard that he'll still be powerful even when he should be blacked out from alcohol. I can't put you or Elvara in danger."
"My friend, we are out in the middle of the wilderness, surrounded by wild animal, humanoid monsters, and bandits. We're about to enter the fortified keep of a bandit captain, under false pretenses. I think we're all in danger out here, but I thank you for your concern."
Elvara visibly shudders. She looks quite shocked at what the others are discussing. "You willingly... want to go to bed with a beast like that...?" Her voice is weak, barely above a whisper.
She shakes her head. "It's horrible... The things a man drunk on power can do. I don't think this is a good idea at all..."
The summoner looks away from the others. "Can't we just get them drunk, then take them out when they are unaware? Without risking getting raped."
"Isolating the Stag Lord might increase our chances of success though. I got a spell to send messages back and forth. It's a weak mirror of the communication me and Smexy share, but it's better than nothing. That could be useful for setting things up or calling the rest of us to aid whoever drags the lord off. No matter what happens we should follow after quickly, in secret of course, so there won't be any need for anyone to have to overpower the lord by themselves."
She shakes her head again. "I can't believe I'm actually contemplating this... Taking someone by force is such a horrible thing."
Raven doesn't ask questions. She simply says, "Like I said. I will go into his room fully armed. Then I will stab him repeatedly for Oleg, Svetlana, and everyone else he's hurt. Then I will patch him up to make sure that he stands trial for his crimes."
You approach the keep unmolested, your plans set.
After a brief, shouted password excange, the rough-log gate to palisade creeks open forbodingly, revealing the interior of the keep. A lanky, well dressed man with a wicked grin, and a massive, dim-witted man that looks like he has some giant blood in him are there to greet you. The more fopish of the two (dressed in moderately well kept taldane fashion) sneers a bit as he regards you. "You've got the booze?" Boss is in a right bloody funk. Let's see the goods, then we'll raise the boss." From the conversation the two were having, the foppish man is named Dovan, and the brutish one lives up to the name of Auchs.
Beyond the gates, you can see that there are two stories with a ruined wall, and several arrow towers connected by bridging. Aside from the two men you see, there are signs of at least a half dozen others, a few of whom peer down at you curiously, still holding bows. There is a large covered area in the more well-preseverved portion of the keep, past what can only be described as a massive animal pen.
Playing up the disguise of Raven leading their group, Alamina looks to her before speaking.
She keeps her hand on the stock of her crossbow (loaded with a +1 bolt, BTW), but keeps the weapon pointed in a safe direction for the time being.
perception to spot hidden snipers / concealed weapons / the like.
sense motive to size up these fellows
Raven snorts. "Yeah, we got the booze. Do you think we would waltz right in here if we didn't? Know from experience the Stag Lord's worse when he's sober." She shakes her head. "Hope he don't drink all this grog. From the whiff I got of it, it's bloody good stuff."
On the way into the keep Elvara mutters a quick arcane word to bolster her speech. Seeing as all eyes are on them she doesn't feel like there is time to share it with everyone however.
Elvara takes to talking as they are shown the booze. "It must be hard having the boss be difficult. But you able men look to be doing the best of things." Elvara says with a smile, trying to befriend the men. "We've heard word of your exploits, quite impressive. No one takes care of things like Dovan they say." She winks at the man then looks the other one up and down. "And Auchs, the strongest man in the greenbelt. That's a mighty title."
"I hope you'll welcome us well. I'm Elvara. A name you probably haven't heard before, but one day I hope to be as famous as you. If you could share what the Lord's funk was about and latest news, that would be much appreciated."
Quint chimes in with appropriate words to assist Elvara.
Several of the perceptive members of the party note that there are a few bandits stationed on the various watch towers, as well as a small amount of movement from the large raised room at the far side of the enclosure, on both floors.
The men are... quite... receptive to Elvara, and it doesn't take much in the way of social aptitude to realize it's probably been a while since attractive women have been in this backwoods area. The looks they give are not fit for polite society, with Dovan giving a discrete appraisal and Auchs staring openly until the smaller man elbows him in the stomach, causing the larger man to give a small bellow of annoyance. Dovan smiles as if nothing had happened, and says, "Well, our esteemed leader has been a bit out of sorts, largely due to lack of appropriate refreshment." In a conspiratorial look, he brings his hand to the side of his mouth and whispers, "I've seen men that have taken withdrawal worse, but few have had quite the temper. If you have the Green, however, I'll go rouse him and inform him the good news."
About this time, another man in the unkept livery of Erastil appears from the ground floor of the far building. He has gray hair beard, somewhat unkempt, with a greatsword on his back. There doesn't appear to be much camaraderie between the newcomer and Dovan form the looks the give each other, and Dovan shouts out, "Akiros, rouse the Stag Lord. We have some exceptional news for him, and the drinks he was wanting."
Raven indeed shrugs her pack off and withdraws the Green, presenting it to Dovan in a mock-royal fashion.
"You got some grub?"
Alamina dismount and helps to offload the booze with the others, keeping a wary eye on the bandits.
"I agree. It also helps explain why so many women are in our group."
Dovan chuckles at the question of food. "We catch enough fish to make you sick of it, even if you're not used to three squares a day. Sometimes the patrols nab an elk or thylacine, though they've been edgy about tagging a deer for fear of slighting the Stag Lord." He sighs wistfully. "Not that anyone here could properly cook a meal to save their lives... A far cry from even the lowliest slophouse in Taldor."
There is a commotion from the far side of the camp: an angry shout turned to enthusiastic cheer from a deep voice. Shortly after an enormous man enters the keep clearing. Bare-chested with only a pair of rough furs around his shoulders and a pair of breeches, a strange mask crafted from the skull and antlers of a stag are the only notable clothing worn by the man you take as the Stag Lord. Even though he shows signs of recently being roused, he does have a thick staved longbow on his back, and a swordbelt on his waist.
As he draws near, the unwashed smell of beer and stink of body odor washes over you, and he yells out, "You! Subjects! You brought my Green!? Give it here, and you'll be rewarded! Keep proving your loyalty like this, and I'll give you your own command, as we expand my lands!" At his shout, there is a raucous noise that comes from the Pen: a combination of a growl and an avian screech. Angry at the interuption, the Stag Lord glares back at Akiros. "Go feed the bird something to shut it up, or I'll feed you to it later."
perception
sense motive
"Fish is good, fish is plenty to eat."
Alamina notes the mens' comport, and files it away in her mind to discuss at a later time.
Ruling these lands wouldn't be bad, but not under your command. "Thank you great lord. I'm glad we could be off such service to you. It would be awesome to rewarded like that. I have no doubt it'll happen shortly." Elvara wants to curtsy after speaking such words, but she realizes that'll be even more out of place than she already is. "What's the plan for today?"
Quint bows to the Stag Lord. "We live to serve, Lord."
Food in hand, Alamina wanders the open bits of the keep, curious about the "bird" Akiros had been ordered to feed.
If she sees Akiros alone, she approaches with an offer to help.
"Hey, I'm 'Mina. I heard the boss say something about a bird, and I was curious what that was all about. Need a hand feeding it?" She tries to keep a gruff demeanor, but some of her positive attitude leaks out anyways. She manages to keep from overtly smiling, at least.
Raven offers the Stag Lord the Green, and gives him a jagged grin. "Of course, m'lord."
The Stag Lord seems unimpressed by the offer of fealty, snorting a bit and more caring about the alcohol you have provided. "Sure, your sword, your service, great."
Unceremoniously, the Stag Lord grips one of the green bottles of alcohol, and drinks it down like a man dying of thirst before roaring in triumph. "Aaaah! That's the stuff! Can't get a bite like that from that watered down Brevic swill. I swear, the entire civil war nonsense might go away if they got decent drinks around here. Might lead to more liasons as well," he leers at the women in the party. He grabs another bottle, and half-glances at this lieutenants. "Take care of things. I'll be enjoying a drink." He then moves off back into the back of the keep, presumably to his quarters.
Akiros grimaces a bit at the dismissal and threats from the Stag Lord, before moving to the pen. There is a large wooden double gate that is locked, with a strong chain across it. There is, however, an opening near the top, through which Akiros flings a pair of coneys that had been strung up. There is a sickening sound of bestial eating, then the "bird" quiets down. Akiros regards you cooly, before handing you another string of carcasses. "Throw them over through the opening, just don't get them stuck." He gives Alamina a bit of a glance, before whispering. "Best stay away from the Stag Lord when he's just taken a drink. He gets a bit... forward, with the few women we've had around here. I can't stop him once he's set on one, but I'd prefer to avoid unpleasantness if I can." He gives a small nod.
Up close, it's obvious that the livery of Erastil is worn and soiled, and despite wearing a tabard, he doesn't have a holy symbol obvious.
After the Stag Lord departs Quint looks at Dovan and Auchs, but generally addresses anybody nearby.
"I know some good stories and tricks, if you and your men want a bit of fun. After all, what's the point of being a bandit if you can't have a bit of fun?"
Alamina takes the birds and hefts them over the chained door, emulating the big man's actions as best she can.
"Thank you, Akiros. We've heard similar stories out in the field, but I appreciate you looking out." Alamina smiles to show her gratitude.
"What's up with those other two? Dovan and Auchs? They seem a little...off, if you ask me. At least you seem like a nice enough man, for a bandit." She lays on the charm, trying to befriend him while picking his brain for intelligence.
diplomacy
Raven, noticing Alamina chatting up Akiros, quickly makes her exit to catch up with the cleric.
She gives a cursory grunt to Akiros, and then studies the creature within the cage. "All my days as a merc-bandit, never seen anything like this," she says, looking at the strange hybridized form of the owlbear.
The party settles in a bit around the bandits, who have appeared to have accepted you in (though some suspicion is still evident, bandits being bandits.)
A few of the bandits enjoy Quintus' diversions until Dovan scolds them to return to their posts and duties. The simpleton Auchs, however, seems to be completly sold over with the tricks and stories, staring gape-mouthed, cheering with exagerated claps, and in general behaving like a 5-year old at an Oathday celebration.
Akiros gives Alamina a piercing glance, trying to gather her intentions and weighing her motives, before shrugging. "Dovan is a snake with sharp teeth. He's some sort of bastard, the way I hear it, though banditry has no shortage of them. He seems to enjoy finer things, so I'm not sure how long he wants to be out in the rough. I wouldn't trust him, though. Auchs, on the other hand, is nice enough for most of the time... though he doesn't understand things like you and I would. He isn't gentle with his play-things, and can fall into a fit of rage. He had a set of tin soldiers that he was given from somewhere, that he's slowly losing pieces to as he smashes them to bits."
He pulls out a whetstone and begins to sharpen his greatsword, seeming to be the sort that needs to be *doing* something rather than just talking. "As for me, I'm the worst sort of man. The one that seems like you can trust, until things go bad. I had a mentor that once said, 'You never know how you'll react until you are backed against a wall.' Well, my reaction was found... wanting." He grimaces, with a unconcious, almost habitual movement of his hand towards his neck, grasping at something that isn't there, before glowering a bit more.
"Anyway, a bandit is what I am now. Sworn to our Lord over there... though he isn't the sort of man I thought him either."
"I understand, Akiros, I truly do. I fell into league with some rather...unsavory...folks back in my caravan days." She makes a small gesture (recognizable by those in the know as a symbol of Desna) before continuing.
"You ever heard of the Szcarni? Groups of Varisians who give the rest of us a bad name? It was a bad time all around."
Laying a hand on his forearm and looking into the man's face, Alamina looks thoughtful before shaking her head. "But I got past that time, and put it behind me. I learned my lesson there, and now I'm a better judge of character. At least, I hope I am."
Lowering her voice to a whisper, "Just how bad is the Stag Lord? We've heard a lot of scuttlebutt and whispers, but nothing for certain."
Akiros glances at the cleric and opens his mouth to talk, then clamps it shut just as quick, shaking his head. "I must be out of sorts running my mouth like this. I hope you can forgive me, but I've learned my lesson about trusting a pretty face too far." He pauses weighing his words carefully. "I will say that he's been obsessed with betrayal, and has us on guard against each other for someone that might turn on him. Mutters about it constantly, and that gods forsaken drink of his isn't helping. Like I said... just keep clear of him, allright?"
He looks like he has more he wants to say, but he gives cautious note of the eyes and ears that are nearby.
Vorsirion notes that there is a large amount of rubble that looks like it might be moved around somewhat routinely in the ruins. He can't make out anything specific in his furtive glance, but that might have merit in investigating later.
His reconnaissance doesn't locate any new threats: no traps or additional bandits. There are four total on the second floor at different watch posts, the three liutenants (Akiros, Auchs, and Dovan), the Stag Lord, and the owlbear as the inhabitants.
"Right, right. So, what's this thing called again? And does it have a name?" Taking the cue from Akiros very easily, she raises her voice slightly and talks about the monster behind the door.
"Did you lot capture it as an adult? Or was it a baby thing that your raised up?"
Quint takes a break from his performance and talks to Auchs for a bit.
"So how did you become a bandit? Do you like it here?"
Raven taps Alamina on the shoulder and says gruffly, "C'mon. Need to talk to you about your performance on that last caravan we raided."
"'Kay, Boss." Alamina turns and nods to Akiros before following Raven off to a secluded corner.
"What's on your mind, Raven?" She asks in a low voice, once sure they are not being actively listened to.
Raven, once she drops the façade, looks distinctly... uncomfortable. "'Mina... I kinda need your help, um... seducing, the Stag Lord. I haven't had a lot of experience, with, um... guys. None, really. I mean, I know how it works, but between helping my mother, and driving out the thieves' guild, and the mercenary work, and um..." This is the first time Alamina has ever seen Raven actually flustered-nay, embarrassed!
"Oh. Are you sure you'd like to go forward with this plan, then? If push comes to shove, are you willing to take that risk?", Alamina smiles gently at Raven, concerned that her bravery has overtaken her common sense.
"From what I've gleaned, this man is a rather brutish sort, the kind to take and grab and care not who he hurts. That sort of thing could impact you beyond the physical danger, my friend." Her eyes flash cold for a minute and she grips the stock of her crossbow hard enough to turn her knuckles white.
"If you're dead set on this pursuit, here are my suggestions; let's brush your hair a bit, get the grime and twigs out and showcase your face. Smile and be pleasant, but not obsequious - you want him to desire you, not consider you an object he already possesses. From what Akiros has said, he seems like a paranoid drunkard, only in love with his booze. Play to his ego and let him talk about himself, and never let his cup run dry. With any luck, he'll drink himself into a stupor, and you can put that oversized blade to good use!"
Alamina adjusts Raven's clothing as best she can, showcasing her face and brushing her hair out of her eyes. Squaring her shoulders and looking her over, Alamina smiles and looks her friend in the eyes.
"We're here, and we'll respond at a moment's notice. Do not be afraid to call for help, okay?"
Raven nods, and whispers, "Thank you. I honestly don't see another way to do this. If you have another suggestion..."
Not very far, honestly. I'm kinda planning on Raven to get pissed off enough to stab SL in the middle of his passes.
"Perhaps we suggest toasts and celebration? Get him hammered to the point he passes out? Then we send Smexy on in and chomp him? I guess we'll have to take care of Davon at the least, I don't know about Auchs. I figure Akiros may be possible to talk him 'round, so we need not fight him, necessarily."
"Right, right. So, what's this thing called again? And does it have a name?" Taking the cue from Akiros very easily, she raises her voice slightly and talks about the monster behind the door.
"Did you lot capture it as an adult? Or was it a baby thing that your raised up?"
"We caught it recently; it had been attacking some livestock and we subdued it. The Stag Lord ordered us to keep it alive as a sign of his power, though I think it's cruel to keep it locked up like that." The man shrugs. "We call it 'The Bird', or variations on that. Not terribly creative, I'm afraid, but that's what you get from a some drunks."
Quint takes a break from his performance and talks to Auchs for a bit.
"So how did you become a bandit? Do you like it here?"
The big man grins, with a mouth missing a few teeth. "Funny small man! Auchs always big, strong. Sometimes hurt people." A small frown creases his features, before his dopey grin comes back. "Get chased out of a few places, live alone, live with other bandit people. Met Dovan. He take care of Auchs, get presents! Make new friends, more toys, more gold! Like it here, lots!"
After Alamina is done talking to Akiros Elvara manages to find him alone. "So, what's the plan for today? I assume everyone won't just stand here while the Stag Lord is inside alone?"
Akiros shrugs. "I expect that the Stag Lord will be enjoying the drinks you got him for the rest of the day, so we'll probably stay on post until the patrol group comes in."
"Let's stick it out, and let him get deep in his cups. We can always proceed from there, of need be."
Alamina claps Raven on the shoulder, before returning to the rest of the group.
"Aww, so he's going to drink all by himself, what's the fun in that?" Elvara complains.
Eventually she makes her way away from Akiros. Aided by her handy message cantrip she conveys her information to the others away from prying ears. "Elvara here. I heard that the lord is likely to stay holed up drinking by himself... At least until the patrol comes back. If we all get in now, we could catch him alone. You can reply to this message."
"Sounds like a plan. How to account for lieutenants? "