Quince and Kevros and Sala what are you guys doing?
Kevros looks at Quince, "Quince, since we did not hear any screaming nor Angeus' arse and elbows, let's just duck inside the cave entrance so we are not so exposed?" ... Kevros points to just inside the cave to where both Quince and Kevros can guard the cave entrance, provide back up for Angeus if she yells or comes back for them, and they are not so exposed if someone or something happens to drop by. Just inside the cave, Kevros looks deeper into the cave and the outside, then to Quince, "I hope she does not run into problems and she can be expedient. We either need to fortify our position tonight or return to the outpost to drop off our bounty and regroup."
It's Morgan. I would take an help you have to offer if it gets me the heads of those responsible. How were you recruited, and why? I know some just take up being a bandit. Whats your story?
"Well some nasty looking blokes found me checking out my snares, some 'recruiters' the Stag Lord pays for each head to bring his way. I either give up my blood or join up. I decided some other bandit's could skin me later, if I said no, let alone losing blood at that point, so I joined up, and since then have showed how well I can shoot a bow and have been left alone for the most part. I don't care to take from others, but you have been the first group that has been able to shut them down." Vale explains.
Vale seems to recognize the name and blurts without thinking, "Morgan, Tristan Morgan, son of Jamal Morgan. I knew your dad, not well more by reputation. Yeah we both have a bone to pick with Kazar and William, the nasty looking blokes that recruited me, they were bragging that they took down the renowned Jamal Morgan."
Quince moves into the cave with Kevros so they can hear if Angeus calls for help.
Though the door is very tempting, Angeus instead decides to check out the other passageway first.
Scratching an arrow in the dirt, in case the others follow behind her, Angeus moves down the seconds passageway; only going 30 feet or so to get an idea of where it goes.
Stealth
Perception
Kazar and William you say. So this Stag Lord they recruite for him. Have you ever seen him. More importantly where can I find him and these men?
S'ala is watching the action at the cave mouth from the saftety of the tree line after getting the wagon loaded and the horses hitched for easy transport of the goods found.
He saw the ogre come out, but watched curiously as the others seemed to disregard it.
He is considering looking through the female leader (I forgot her name..) tent but doesn't want to get snapped by any traps...
Vale tells Tristan, "Yes I met the Stag Lord and he instilled some fear in the new recruits, then they moved me up with Kressel. His fort is like two days ride South, though on the other side of the river."
S'ala there is over 300 feet between the camp and the cave. Most of it is forest, so you are either loading up the cart or near the cave not both.
Creeping closer, Angeus approaches until she can read the writing; if it's in a script she can read.
S'ala is loading up the cart then. If that gets finished he'll wander over to where Kevros and Quince are near the cave mouth.
Seeing that she won't be able to decipher the writing, Angeus shrugs then makes her way back to the others. Once again, she actively denies the reality of the ogre, until she once again steps out into the light .
"Looks like the bandits made camp in someone's front yard. There's a couple doors down there, one with Gnomish script. He or she must have set the ogre illusion to keep the bandits out. "
Thanks for the info Vale. We will have you mark the area on our map when we return to the outpost. We will then need to discuss your fate. I'm sure the others will agree to let you take up hunting again. This time you will have our protection as long as you continue to work with us. You can even strike a deal with Oleg to trade your furs. Fates smiled upon you this day, Just think about it you could have been Moe when I threw my javelin...
Tristan smiles and chuckles a bit.
Quince raises an eyebrow, "Well I think that explains the ogre. Gnomes have an afinity for illusions."
"Perhaps our prisoner knows more of the gnomes."
Kevros shrugs, "Or perhaps not due to the Ogre illusion and the bandits making their home primarily outside the cave? In addition, maybe the mites are really Gnomes and not ugly midget monsters? We could always knock on the door? These Gnomes MAY make a good ally to have in the Stolen Lands?" ... Kevros pauses and looks outside the cave, "Angeus, do you think it is ok to move our teammates and bounty in here until we are ready to leave?"
Quince looks at himself, "We are still somewhat dressed like the bandits."
Kevros nods, "However, how many bandits do you know that knock nicely?" ... Kevros laughs ... "And we can always ditch the bandit clothing."
"I think that we might introduce ourselves first. Moving into their cave might be seen to be un-neighborly. Does any of you speak Gnomish? "
"I think that we might introduce ourselves first. Moving into their cave might be seen to be un-neighborly. Does any of you speak Gnomish? "
Kevros looks at Quince since he seems to be quite the book worm and can even talk to horses.
Quince shakes his head, "Celestial, sylvan and aklo. They likely know common."
Kevros shrugs, "Unless they are staunchy Gnomes, I would think so."
Vale smiles, "Yes that is true Tristan."
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Quince you don't know of any gnomes, though it would make sense that they would like the solitude of the area.
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Waiting upon your actions... :)
Quince looks about. "Well they like know we are here. Lets ask our prisoner more about them. If they are not in league with the bandits then the door, illusions and the ogre are designed to keep strangers out. While we talk to our new charge we can go through the captured gear . . . maybe among the items is something sized for smaller folk. Returning stolen property might be a good demonstration that we are worth trusting."
Kevros nods, "I agree, let's move the gear in here. We do not have long until nightfall." ... Kevros walks out of the cave towards the horses and wagon.
Quince wanders back to the camp.
All of the gear is packed up on the cart, Sala has been busy. The two horses from the camp are hitched up to the cart as well. They respond well to Sala's quiet nature.
Quince looks through the gear searching for anything thst.might be small size. When he notices the tent has not.been searchedhe calls Angeus over. "Can you take a look yiu have the best chance of not finding a bear trap."
Quince you are not successful in finding anything that is 'small'.
S'ala asks "What did you find in the cave? Is it safe to put our wagon in while we camp and recover?"
S'ala also points out the remaining tent which needs to be cleared of traps.
Good question, why don't you look back and see when you started the day.
"the sun will set in about an hour, the camp is just down this trail, do we charge in? I will cover the South trail, so if any of them attempt to flee that way I will take care of them. I also have a signal arrow for when we want to attack." Stalker waits to hear their plan before he leaves."
So the sun would be setting and the light is getting much worse, torches or giving the camp fire some more fuel would be a good idea.
Quince looks at the fading light. "We need to make a call now. Make camp here or make camp in the cave."
Kevros points towards the cave, "I vote for the cave, post a guard or guards for the bounty and entrance, and continue to work on our Gnome friends."
"OK, the cave it is. Anyone want to join me in introducing ourselves to our new neighbors?"
Quince nods, "I would, though lets get the unconscious prisoners secure. The horses tethered before the sun is lost. Get a look in the woman leader's tent and get the cave set for camp. Perhaps setting a few of those bear traps here at their old camp might be wise.
Kevros looks at the fading sun, "Then we must work fast and I agree we should check the woman leader's tent. I would expect a leader to have both better equipment and information we need to stop the banditry."
Prisoners have been secured, I know Sala helped with that if not someone else. Though are you wanting to secure them in the cave?
Bear traps should be the last thing you do, though a disable device check DC 5 would be able to set them safely or a Dex check DC 5. Most traps require craft trap, but not bear traps.
If you search the woman leader's tent, do a perception check and describe how you search it.
Describe what you want done with the prisoners.
Is someone going to help Sala move the horses and cart with most of the stuff to the cave, let alone fill him in on what is going on, or the other PC/NPCs.
Kevros pauses and then looks to everyone, "I suggest and vote for the following, Angeus checks out the leader's tent for both traps and then treasure. If the leader has information, we do not want to lose it. Quince helps Sala with the horses, Tristan helps with processing the prisoners, and Stalker are you healthy enough to help Tristan or do you prefer to stand guard as we get ready?" ... before Stalker could answer, Kevros changes his focus back to Angeus ... "Angeus, once you are finished with the leader's tent, I suggest to go on to setting traps if there is time and it is safe. We must move quickly!" ... Kevros waits for a response before speaking again.
Stalker puts on his rags, equips his bow and begins to start walking very slow circles around the camp. Keeping the perimeter watched.
Kevros nods at Stalker, "Come on Tristan, let's blind fold, gag, and secure the prisoners in the cave. Since we can not process them, we have to make sure they can't talk, see, cut their restraints, or interact with each other. Once we are finished, one of us needs to relieve Stalker to regain his strength and help."
S'ala nods and moves to take the bridle of the horse, leading it slowly towards the cave mouth. "It is a good plan. This one is happy to get the cart out of sight with Quince's help."
Quince assists S'ala. "Apparently there are gnomes in the caves, hence the ogre illusion. Speaking of the ogre lets tether the horses near the cave. Even if I explain it to them they will likely spook."
Kevros pauses and then looks to everyone, "I suggest and vote for the following, Angeus checks out the leader's tent for both traps and then treasure. If the leader has information, we do not want to lose it. Quince helps Sala with the horses, Tristan helps with processing the prisoners, and Stalker are you healthy enough to help Tristan or do you prefer to stand guard as we get ready?" ... before Stalker could answer, Kevros changes his focus back to Angeus ... "Angeus, once you are finished with the leader's tent, I suggest to go on to setting traps if there is time and it is safe. We must move quickly!" ... Kevros waits for a response before speaking again.
"Yah, that makes sense. I made a quick run through before...but I may have missed something." Angeus says, then walks to the tent. This time she takes her time making sure she doesn't miss anything.
Perception Take 20 + 9 = 29
Looking once more through the tent, you think that the leader has furnishings but that seems to be pretty much the only luxury she had. Then you come upon a small stash. 5 gems, 4 of them worth 10 gp, and one worth 75 gp. A pouch of 12 pp and a knife, serrated polished silver blade with a mithril hilt. Several sapphires embedded in the hilt.
The bandits are bagged and gagged, easily drawn in their chain gang past the Orge image. The horses on the cart could be an issue.
Quince unhooks the horse from the cart and puts them with the others tethered outside the cave. Once complete he and S'ala work together to push the wagon inside the cave getting help if necessary.