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It does not appear that they are awake yet, but if you use smelling salts, which are in healing kits. They get a +5 on Fortitude saves to wake up.
Quince goes over to the three bandits and using smelling salts on them, they wake up with a start though seeing that they are disarmed and surrounded don't do anything rash.
S'ala asks the Stalker if he needs any help transporting or watching over the bandits, and offers his aid if he answers in the affirmative. If he declines, S'ala will ask Angeus about any of the goods carried by the villans. He is not asking for personal gain, but rather as means to restore the citizens lost property.
"Also, we will need a supply of capital to govern this area effectively, taking loot from criminals is more favorable to This One than taxing the poor and downtrodden."
Stalker says, "It will take less time if I take them by myself. I can ask my friends to watch over a few troubled souls, but introductions can take a while for new friendly faces."
Quince looks to.Stalker curiously, "Friends?"
You may have missed this question from earlier.
The ring that's "Mine". Is it the one with the big sapphire?
There, I have done my best to cover things and make the area look natural. He pauses as stalker mentions a pond...
WHy would we go visit a pond? Besides now that Stalker is dealing with the captured we can strike the camp. Is everyone ready?
Kevros now shows visible anger for the first time but does not take his eyes off Fraign, "OK, SINCE YOU THREE SELFISH [SOMETHING VERY VULGAR IN ELVISH] WANT TO RISK US AND THE GREENBELT WITH THIS STRANGE DISEASE. NOW IT IS TIME FOR ME TO BE SELFISH, THEN YOU TAKE CARE OF CLAW MAN AND DON'T PLACE HIM IN OUR HOME, HE WILL HAVE TO STAY OUTSIDE THE KEEP MAIN GATE. IN ADDITION, IF ANY OF YOU CATCH THIS DISEASE, NOT ONLY AM I GOING TO KILL HIM, I WILL KILL YOU AS WELL AND THEN BURN YOUR BODIES. AND I EXPECT NO QUARTER IF I CATCH THIS DISEASE BUT I WILL HAUNT YOU THE REST OF YOUR DAYS FOR NOT TAKING CARE OF THIS PROBLEM RESPONSIBLY! THIS I SWEAR! I GUESS YOU THREE NEVER FOLLOW ANY NEWS REGARDING DISEASES WIPING OUT WHOLE TOWNS, VILLAGES, AND EVEN REGIONS!"
For being as angry as he is, Kevros remains focused on Fraign but also remains alert for any of the (3+) to make a move on him for his anger for their lack of responsibility (in his eyes).
Quince replies to Kevros calmly, "We are gathering information. I agree he should not be brought back to Oleg's. I have said so previously. Before we get too heated lets talk to the now awake bandits and find out what they know."
Kevros still visibly very angry does not respond, he continues to watch Fraign and remains alert for other aggression.
Masota crosses her arms and narrows her eyes at Kevros. "I find it odd that a soldier would fear death so much that he would be willing to sacrifice so much to avoid it."
Kevros shakes his head, "Fearful?! More like responsible and not selfish. At least I want to protect everyone and not possibly sacrifice many for a stray diseased bandit. In addition, soldiers fear death all the time. What you don't want is a soldier who doesn't fear death like ..." He mumbles the rest under his breath and it is unclear so that no one will make it out.
"The life of a bandit to save so many others. How noble. All for the greater good." She pauses, a smile crossing her lips as she shakes her head. "But here's the thing about the "greater good"...it's an excuse for those who cannot make difficult decisions or face trials that push them beyond their limits. If you wish to protect...there should be no compromise, no exceptions. Making compromises only creates a safe haven for evil to thrive." Masota shakes her head and turns away from Kevros but stops shortly afterwards and turns to speak over her shoulder.
"What shall happen to our future kingdom when a situation calls for you to choose whether to save 100 or save 1000? Do you plan to calculate the numbers then as well? Or will you actually choose to protect?"
Kevros remains focused and responds, "I guess you rather save the 100 bandits than the 1,000 innocent lives who populate the Greenbelt. So, I guess that means you want evil to prevail?"
It is amusing to hear all of your view on what each of you think is the moral thing to do. I admit life would be easier if things were all black and white, good and evil. Kevros point is we know nothing of this disease. The reponsible thing would be to end it here. We can study or learn about it without patient 1 here. It may make it easier to study him, but we risk ourselves and in the way Masota likes to think we risk all those we will save in the future. So it seems this is the difficult decision. Kevros decided to put the lives of us and all those we would protect before the life of this man, who may or may not seek redemption. But if he truely is the most inocent and has been cursed well then his god can sort that out and judge his sould justly or if not he/she is not god.
Standing up and dusting herself off from where she'd made the bandit's equipment a bit more transportable, Angeus raises her left hand to admire the beautiful ring adorning one of her fingers. Watching the interplay of light in it's jewel, her reverie is interrupted by the argument between Kevros and Masota.
Walking over to the confrontation , Angeus says "Is this really the time and place for a philosophical discussion on the relative worth of one bandit vs the population of an entire region. I'm sure there have been reams and reams of scrolls and books written on the subject, this is hardly new ground you two are breaking here. " her arms planted firmly on her hips "We isolate, then diagnose. Then, if need be, we terminate. But only once we know the nature of the "disease", if it be a disease at all."
Masota spins around, a genuine smile on her face as she laughs. "I do not see the lives of one hundred bandits versus the lives of one thousands innocents. I see eleven hundred lives, each of them needing saving in their own way. I shall protect those from harm that cannot do so themselves and offer a guiding hand to those that have lost their way. I do not expect to save everyone but I will put forth the effort regardless of the hardship."
When Angeus interrupts, Masota will stop her conversation though her disappointment in seeing the end of the discussion is obvious. "Very well. A chance is all I ask for. We cannot kill everything we see just because it poses a threat to us."
When she's fairly certain Kevros or Tristan won't murder the diseased bandit when she turns around, Masota will turn her attention to Angeus. "You appear to have suffered a few injuries from our battle. I could relieve a bit of your suffering should you wish it."
Kevros sighs in response to Tristan's comment, "Finally, someone with sense or an open mind at the very least regarding this issue!"
Quince nods approval of Angeus comments.
Quince watched closly the now conscious bandits. Wondering if they seem disturbed to be this close to the clawed bandit. He adresses the bandits roughly. "Your cooperation earns your life so push it at your severe peril. One of your number is infested with vines. It appears contagious stories suggest it is fatal. What do you know of his condition how it given, how it can be cured? Speak."
Kevros shakes his head at Angeus' comment, "The same mind set as Quince and Masota, risk one life for the possible forfeiture of many when we are currently not prepared for the disease. This is irresponsibility to the core and I hope the innocent does not have to pay for it from OUR lack of action!"
"You appear to have suffered a few injuries from our battle. I could relieve a bit of your suffering should you wish it."
Rolling her shoulder and wincing at the pain in her side, Angeus smile ruefully at Masota "Yes that would be greatly appreciated, Masota"
@Kevros "We take on risk so that others do not have to. That is why we are out here. To kill a man on suspicion that his affliction may possibly endanger ourselves...it is a thought that does you no honour, Kevros."
Kevros replies, "There is no "possibly" in contagious, Angeus. It is only when or you were lucky. The charter states nothing regarding contagious diseases, only banditry."
As Masota places her hands on Angeus' wounds, she can't help but overhear Kevros' latest tirade. She rolls her eyes as Kevros throws more insults around at his companions. She places her hands on her hips and stares at the ground for a moment before marching over to Kevros, her patience having met it's limit. "The man that throws a tantrum in the forest like a spoiled child that cannot have his way while we are surrounded by enemies wishes to speak of responsibility does he? Do not forget that these men are in our care. Yet you wish nothing more than to throw away any responsibility you have just so you can feel safe from imagined threats. That is irresponsibility and selfishness. And I will no longer tolerate you pointing fingers at our companions for things you are far more guilty of yourself."
Lay on Hands
Lay on Hands
Lay on Hands
S'ala says,"It is written 'It is better to risk saving a guilty man than to condemn an innocent one'. We do not know this man poses a threat to anyone, nor do we know that his afflication cannot be easily cured or reversed. To jump to assassinating him is the height of folly. He WILL be spared until his condition can be assessed and understood. If it turns out that killing him is a mercy to him or necessary to the survival of the group, so be it. But that assessment is far from being made. If we killed every man who was a potential threat to us, none would be left standing here."
"Now let The Stalker take these men into custody, and then let us move on to the bandit camp and finish our business there."
With that he turns and leaves the discussion, mounting his horse and preparing ride.
Kevros steps back, lowers his Repeating Heavy Crossbow for easier transition between targets, focusing on all besides Fraign, "Then you must be talking about yourself ... MaSOTa!"
Then Kevros walks away, gets on his horse, and draws his Elven Curve Blade while watching everyone's actions.
Masota closes her eyes and sighs, placing her face in her hand. When she speaks, her exasperation is noticeable. "I have traveled for months with criminals that knew nothing else but darkness in their lives for the chance to teach them a better way. And even among men such as those...never before have I encountered a man that marched down his own path with such bull-headed passion." She opens her eyes, locking eyes with Kevros. Funny, I remember a Kevros that spoke of agreeing on matters as a council only a day ago. And yet, the Kevros that stands before me now is ready to fight because the group does not agree with his preferred course of action. If this is what you are then I have nothing left to say to you."
With that, she'll follow S'ala's example and make her way back to her horse.
Lay on Hands for S'ala
Lay on Hands for Angeus
Kevros responds, Of course, I am ready to fight. You obviously lost your mind, threatened me, and I have bandits to worry about as well. You know nothing of situational awareness nor what evil and good is, Masota! You're an anti-paladin.
Angeus gapes at Kevros, unbelieving her ears. Frowning, she looks at Kevros closely "Are you feeling alright, Kevros. Are you feverish? Have you been enchanted? To say such a thing...."
Perception
Quince looks up from trying to get info from the bandit. "FOOL, Warden Droverson calm yourself. You accuse us of inaction. We have secured prisoners and are ready to mobilze. To get clear of a location possibly known to our enemy. We have prisoners carrying the infected, stay clear of the infected, if you are concerened, we will not take the vine infested bandit home with us, but we should learn all we can. Our enemy may have this condition useable as a weapon. It may be a method of control. Lets get to a more reletively safe location. Interrorgate the prisoners. And take informed action. Have you not considered that Happ is trapped in Olegs shed with this same curse. Which suggests to me we need to learn more. I promise I am working to avoid the very catastrophe you are speaking. "
Kevros remains alert, at the ready on his horse, and says nothing more.
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"Yes friends, of the forest Quince." Stalker rolls his eyes.
Fraign crouches down to not be the target of Kevros' outburst.
"As I said before I have seen this disease before, though each time I encountered it, it was on a bandit except for that one time, I found it on an adventurer. Every time I put and arrow in the bandit's head and did not retrieve said arrow. The adventurer headed farther into the stolen lands mumbling about a fortress." Stalker thinks and relays the information slowly while remembering.
The hammer bandit shakes his head and opens his mouth. Inside you can see his tounge has been cut out.
The diseased claw bandit just sits there. Then looking down notices something and begins to try to slide towards the bandit's equipment, he stretches as far as he can.
"Ha, you don't know what it is, then you will soon find out. It is a curse upon these lands, one that makes sure that no civilization ever comes to power on these lands, it is Chaos. It can only be cured with the death of the carrier and even then it still spreads." Says the bandit who wielded the pick in a mocking tone.
Quince responds to Stalker in a language similar in sound to elven but very different sytax. "Deron torish leba gura endo lama."Quince continues in common. "Might your friends know something of this condition? It is possible this bandit has the same curse that holds Happ. Who may even this moment be infecting our prisoners, Saren, Oleg and family. Any knowledge I think is a huge help."
Quince steps between the clawed bandit and the gear he is reaching for and kicks it out of the way. "He is reaching for something."
Quince looks back at the bandit formerly wielding the pick. "You know there are some in our group trying really hard to save you from blade. I am willing to give you a shot to be helpful and to live." Quince looks about regarding the group as if sizing it up. "We make most decisions by vote. You already lost me when the time comes to put you down. I suggest you become helpful before more of us cross the line. We hold council in a stable . . . we could stand for a hanging in a clearing."
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In response to Quince, "Yes they might know something of it, though good luck getting a straight answer, and then you have to pay... No I don't think it is the same curse as Happs, though we will see when we get back to see if he has vines or not. Well this fellow has been traveling with the other four and none of them seem to be infected."
How is the Hammer guy being defiant his tongue is cut out and can't speak. No he is simply showing he cannot talk and inform you to what he knows.
Quince as far as the bandit is saying, he believes his words, he is likely embellishing, but a good amount of truth from his perspective.
"You hold council in a stable, Ha!" He just laughs and doubles over in more laughter. Quince you sense that the bandit does not care either way. Perhaps he already came to the conclusion that he will be for the block.
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The claw bandit is still reaching for it, he was not close to getting any of it or even touching it, but now with you in the way and the equipment even farther away, nothing has really change he continues to reach and the other bandits hold their own so he does not budge much.
His actions are abrupt, and now just reaching.
Quince tries to get a read on the clawed bandit. He tries to look into the bandit's eyes from a safe distance. "How do you feel about all this Scratch. What are you reaching for? Are you in pain? Are you even alive?"
Masota rides up to Quince, prepared to ask him to save the interrogation for another time when she sees the bandit mindlessly reaching for something. She stops her horse nearby and looks down on the man with pity. Her eyes will drift over to Quince as she asks "What do you suppose he wants?"
If the bandit doesn't respond to Quince at all, Masota will dismount and take items from the bandit's belongings one at a time and see if the bandit's reach changes.
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Quince tries to get a read on the clawed bandit. He tries to look into the bandit's eyes from a safe distance. "How do you feel about all this Scratch. What are you reaching for? Are you in pain? Are you even alive?"
Quince I think you need to do a sense motive check, but right now you can't really tell. He does not respond to your questions, he is just stretching for something in the pile with his feet.
_____________________________Masota he reaches out with his feet towards his weapons, the claws.
"No big mystery there he wants his weapons." Quince addresses the clawed bandit directly, "Tell me Scratchy do you have anything to say. If you want to live you need to play nice and stop going for your weapons."[/b] Quince studies him a moment. Hoping for a response.
"Lets get moving. Stalker are you taking our guests with you straight from here or do we want to find a safe place to camp. I do not have many spells left. Though I can help you feel a little better S'ala. Try not get hit any more today I only have one heal left/" He makes his way to S'ala and says a short prayer.
No response Quince, you think that there is not much up there anymore, likely just a host to the 'vines'.
"I thought the plan was to hit the bandit camp just after dark? Once again, I will take the prisoners on my own, unless you want to go blind."
S'ala checks in with Tristan and makes sure he has good directions and his woodcraft is strong enough to get us to the main bandit camp if The Stalker departs.
"Kevros why don't you ride with me for a bit, I could use an extra pair of eyes up to the glade I travel. Just stay here and rest or begin South, Tristan can lead you, he did not steer you wrong the last time." Stalker leaves almost all emotion out of his words.
Quince shakes himself from regarding the clawed bandit. "Yes that was the plan. I know I only able to heal once more today. Masota if we take injury are you able to assist. I would expect the next fight to be rougher than this. Perhaps finding a secure camp, interrogating the prisoners and rest might be prudent?" Quince makes his way to scram and mounts up.
Having watched Quince observe the claw-bandit and his attempt to re-aquire his claws, Angeus scoops up the claws and other equipment and ties them off in to bundles; attaching a bundle to each horse to distribute the load evenly.
Satisfied, she gathers her gear, mounts and awaits the others.
