Quince twists slightly in his bedroll and sighs clearly zonked out.
If The Stalker is taking half the night watch, say 4 hours, then we could easily do an hour each for the other time. S'ala offered and will take the first and second shifts to give Quince a rest.
After that, Siph with darkvision and Kevros for the dawn patrol, okay?
Ride Dc 10:
Con check:
Once the group stops for the night, Masota helps get the camp and horses settled, leaving the hunting and gathering to those more familiar with the wilderness. She spends most of the evening quietly staring into the fire, seemingly reflecting over something.
When the discussion about watch comes up, Masota volunteers herself. "My eyes are better than most at night. Sarenrae's light illuminates even the darkest of nights." She briefly flashes a half smile before continuing. "Allow me to take one of the night shifts."
"My heritage also grants me some ability to see well in darkness, I too will take nighttime shift at watch" Angeus says , dropping a bag full of herbs and fruit by those preparing the stew.
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Masota also had a pretty good time of the ride and her backside is a bit sore, but she is good.
The night goes well, there is plenty of food, from foraging and hunting. Stalker wakes up S'ala for his shift.
There are no unexpected surprises for the night and everyone gets some rest. Allowing Quince to get all the sleep he needs, he wakes up in good spirits and a spring to his step, likely checking all the horses.
Next Day!
Quince wakes reasonably early considering how early he turned in. Stretches and packs his gear. He checks on those who are a awake, horse and companion alike. He finds a relatively quite spot to sit and spends time in prayer to Erastil. After which he goes about putting together a reasonable breakfast. If there are left over fruit and such they augment trail rations and anything else he can scrounge up which was not much.
Since Kevros had dawn shift, he made sure the fire was still going for some morning warmth. In addition, he also checks the horses to see if they need water, food, and are generally behaving since horses can act like 5 year olds at times. He checks all of the combat gear he brought with him and has his loaded Repeating Heavy Crossbow with him at all times. As people wake up, he says, "Good morning, did you sleep well?" ... After everyone in various stages of waking up, he asks Stalker ... "Stalker how far are we and how much will the forest delay our progress?"
When Quince sees that Kevros is up and around, he offers good morning, "The trip should be easier today." He chats with Kevros about the horses. "I think I have a better pecking order. There will be less time spent keeping them from trying to nibble on each other."
"The forest will not delay our path, we should be there by midnight tonight with an easy ride today. We will take some detours to make sure the day goes well and a bit of sight seeing. Unless you want to rush straight to the camp and get there during the day hours?" Stalker is straight forward, but less formal with Kevros.
In the morning Siph will take a portion of the food, then spend some time shaping her arcane energy into the magics she can manipulate.
when she passes by quince, She asks him in a mocking tone "Master Quince, I trust my back side meets with your approval this morning?"
she accentuates the act with with a shake of her 'backside'. careful you don't let your gaze linger too long, their are some nasty spells that seem to find those who do...."
Quince looks back a Siph thoroughly confused. He follows her motions until he realizes where his eyes are looking. He goes to speak but has little sound escape but clearly lip read a quizzical 'backside.' Looks about to anyone else nearby as if there is something more to answer his puzzled look. He blushes slightly and lifts the bowl he has in his hand, "Breakfast, would you like some."
S'ala wonders at the behavior of the sylph, but chalks it up to the feyblood.
He breaks his evening fast and packs up his gear preparing to depart. He approaches the Stalker.
"Would it be fair to assume contact will be made with bandit patrols today also, Stalker?"
"Do you want to hunt down the patrols during the day and then at night strike at the camp?"
Kevros attention pipes up, "That depends on their rotation Stalker? Our goal is not to alert the enemy base camp with our attacks on the patrols. Do you have their timing down and do they seem to be routine? The more routine the patrols are, the easier."
I think that would be ideal Stalker, if the others feel the same.
Laughing at Quince's confusion and discomfort Siph adds "you are quite the charmer when you talk in your sleep.
"Actually, the question was intended to make us wary of stumbling into a patrol. As we draw closer it is only logical to think the frequency of patrols would increase. Do we need to take precautions, scouting in advance or moving more slowly and stealthily? Or are you covering that for us already?"
If the rest of the group wants to seek and destroy a patrol first, S'ala has no objection as long as they are taking action to pacify the area.
Quince tries to regain some composure. "Yes well, I was pretty grogy. Next time I am that tired I will just surrender to exhaustion. Half asleep is . . . I mean to say, I hope I did not offend you." By the end of his statement he regains his usual composure. He smiles and adds silent quietly, "It is no good thing to cross the witch of the woods or a beautiful woman."
He looks up and listens a moment to the discussion regarding the bandits, "Day or night we must take them where it is difficult to flee. And we must be prepared for them to scatter."
"From my cursory scouting, there appears to be 2 or 3 raiding parties, not really a patrol. Honestly a band of misfits. The camp had about a dozen bodies, so likely half that number were out, I only came by one patrol of three bandits with clubs lazily walking a trail.
Quince listens to Stalker, "Do you think they keep to the same trails? Perhaps we should be laying in wait."
"If the patrols are on foot, let's make short work of them on horseback and then surprise the camp? Again, the only prisoners we take is what remains in camp and/or the woman leader."
"That supposes, none will surrender, or try to flee."
"Quince, unless we tie them to trees and retrieve them later. We can not place ourselves in harms way because of too many prisoners."
Quince nods, "I understand our intent I was simply pointing out that we should not expect three bandits, possibly conscripted as our current prisoners claim, to go toe to toe with a larger force. I just wanted to make sure in our planning we prepared for contingencies, like they will run for thier lives to warn camp or even lead us to their defenses.
Quince listens to Stalker, "Do you think they keep to the same trails? Perhaps we should be laying in wait."
Having risen with the others, Angeus stretches and helps dole out breakfast. Once done, she retired to a clear areas to stretch the kinks out of her body from sleeping on the ground. Some might recognize the forms being orthodox Adlori sword master techniques.
Done, she joins the conversation with Stalker.
"The bandits I interrogated mentioned that the patrols followed a set path, following marked trees. Did you see any such markings on your scout, Stalker?"
I dislike outright murder, but it would be foolish to tow prisoners with us. Tie them securely to a tree if we must take a prisoner, retrieve them on our return, if the creatures of the woods don't get to them first.
Siph saddles her horse, making sure that her quiver and bow are within easy reach.
"It will not do to senselessly slaughter men who have asked for mercy. A way will be found to confine the prisoners if any are indeed taken. Butchering them makes us no better than them, we should strive for the high moral ground. If we can get them to surrender without a fight so much the better for us all."
S'ala eyes burn as he says these words emphatically.
"But come now, let us find these men before we take them prisoner."
Quince nods as the others speak, "Do we find their marker and await them, or seek them out. To hunt or to trap."
"Siph and S'ala's thoughts mirror my own. We cannot kill others just because letting them live is inconvenient to us."
As she climbs back into her saddle, she takes in the information she's heard and speaks up.
"Making haste to the camp may be the ideal course of action. If the bandits follow marked trials then they should be easy enough to avoid as we make our way to the camp. There will be fewer bandits about with the patrols making their rounds and we can deal with the patrols as they return."
"Can we find their marks? We can deal with those on the trail and make for the camp. Rely on speed.".
"Now that you mention it there were several trees marked with red. So we head straight to the camp, which should get us there about... Early afternoon." Stalker strokes his own chin in thought and confirms the plan.
You all know my stance on these men's lives so I will not offer a plan, just my assistance on whatever the group decides.
Tristan draws and inspects his sword, running his thumb along the blade checking that the edge is still good. He then puts it back in its sheath. Saddles and mounts his horse.
I do agree with Masota though. If you wish not to slaughter the patrols then we should hit the main camp and deal with the patrols after.
Quince nods, "We would do well not to reduce these conversations to all or nothing. If I follow correct, Kevros tactic is if we encouter a patrol to deal with it swiftly, prevent escape and then head toward the camp. If we prevail and prisoners remain we will be wise and bind them. From there we take the camp and deal with those there and prepare to for others who maybe still on patrol. There is little disagreed on tactics. If we encounter a patrol none have suggested leaving it alone. If we come close to the camp without meeting a patrol we still take the camp. Treatment of the helpless or those who surrender will be handled as we have so far, those who resist or flee will be met with force." He mounts his horse.
Kevros rolls his eyes and shakes his head, "The point of taking out the patrols is to mitigate later attacks at our flanks. We will just gag and tie the prisoners to a tree or one or two people can stay in the rear to babysit the prisoners since some want to save the world. Regardless, at the end of the day, I am going home alive because I chose not to become a bandit. They did!"
Kevros nods at Quince's statement.
The tactics of the plan don't matter much to S'ala, but the morality of it is a big thing to him. The rule of law and respect of life is one of his key tenets.
As the mornings ride wears on Quince talks with Kevros, "You make a point about these men did chose ill and it should be treated accordingly. Its not about saving the world. If this were war I think your council makes both tactical sense and falls within just action in war we kill enemies most often. This is different situation. Tactically the same, but our mandate is establistment of law and the implication allows room for repentance. It is a harder mandate to achieve. You have been a soldier and you carry yourself like you have led soldiers. The Sword Lords have made you a leader of citezens. A much more chaotic lot with a whole news group of problems."
"My decision is based solely on tactics, self-preservation, getting the job done, and what tools were given to us or what tools we have found. It has nothing to do with I am a cold blooded killer because if I was, I would be trying to kill them all, curse or no curse. Personally, I would love to save or give them all a chance. However, in order for missions to succeed, some times difficult decisions need to be made. This is what I suggest, we tie and gag the prisoners in a chain gang and have them tied to main rope to a horses saddle. The big question now, is who is going to watch them? Lastly, they will slow down our return to our outpost unless the camp has a wagon or we can build a wagon for transport. It will probably take just as long to build one and transport than just to transport them back by foot to the outpost. Another issue we need to address, is we currently do not have large enough accommodations for all of the prisoners or repenters. Therefore, we will have to take them out to scrounge building materials and have them build a holding facility for themselves."
I can watch the prisoners, with the help of a few friends, I know of a few safe places I can store them along the way.
"Don't worry no one hear thinks you a murderer not if they understand you. Stalker can find us a place to stash them. He and Narsisca can watch them. I think our previous punishment will not work here. Besides they will likely fight or flee. Survivors may not be a problem. Scrappers will be met full force those who flee will be run down. Its the ones that drop weapons and beg mercy or dont die that make for prisoners."
Kevros gives both Stalker and Quince the Elven sign of friendship, "Although we can use your bow Stalker, prisoner watch will give you time to relax a little." ... Kevros pauses ... "Since we have that worked out now, let's take out 1 or more of these patrols, then strike the base camp." ... Kevros looks around, then continues to speak ... "We can ambush them via horse! This way, we can attack them swiftly and there will be no or little chance of any of them getting away."
"If you head South by South East and take it at an easy pace, I should be able to find you let alone your trail. I am going to go hunt down a patrol, then I will be back for your support." He waits for a few moments to see if anyone objects, if not he mounts up onto his Gray and they are off like a breeze.
"Very well Kevros, you've much more experience handling skirmishes so I'll defer to your strategy. Just please keep in mind that this isn't a war and our foes aren't soldiers."
Good luck Stalker, I will take point in your absense. I will keep us on course for the camp then. Any objections?
Tristan rides up to the front of the group, and then a little ahead if no one speaks up.
Quince nods, "Good man." He smiles in Tristans direction. As the Companions mount up Quince takes time to establish a pecking order among the horses even those about riders. He also warn people about the particularly ornery horses.
Kevros nods at Masota, "It is true that they are not soldiers and this not an official war. Regardless, the weapons they carry and use do not differentiate between civil disobedience and war, they injure and kill equally well. Keep that in mind as you fight these thugs in this civil disobedience." ... Kevros looks to Tristan ... "Be my guest Tristan if you are a ranger, will keep us from getting lost, and will lead us to our objectives?"
Siph lets out a long sigh. I dislike murder, If a bandit threatens me again, he will die. If we take prisoners, that is preferable, but I will loose no sleep over putting a shaft through a bandit or two. Be thankful they are not soldiers, otherwise they would be better trained, and twice as deadly. And know this, unless you are worth a hefty ransom or can charm the tail off a tiefling, these men will not halt the blade at your throat if you surrender
Quince winces at the word murder. "We chose not to kill prisoners as it is our right. Make no mistake though it is also our right to put them to the sword. We have chosen to allow for repentace. Before this is through we will one of these bandtis will put us to the test and we will take thier lives it is lawful execution not murder. We walk a fine line here with our own prinipals and the law."
yes, it is a fine line.....
siph lets the words trail off, loosing herself in a thoughtful silence.
if not for Tristan, would I be among this camp, would I be given a second chance if fate had not pulled me from a future of banditry?