Oleg’s trading post is surrounded by a wooden palisade that stands 10 feet high. At each corner of the palisade are 20-foot square watchtowers, each armed with a run-down catapult. There’s one entrance through the palisade—a 30-foot-wide wooden gate.
Upon arrival, each of your groups are welcomed with a hearty greeting from a woman who jovially introduces herself as Svetlana. She's prepared stew, bread, and even some wine. Oleg has been repairing a roof over his guesthouse for some time, and does not come down until dinner is nearly complete.
Idris peers at the palisade and the catapults, and says to Svetlana, "Name's Idris. Looks like a pretty heavy defense you have here. Do bandits raid often?"
Bloody half-orc. If I find him I will show him how much I that attack.
Kivan looks around the room taking note of any people who seem new.
It might not hurt to find some companions to work with for the time being.
Svetlana answers Idris Oh, dearie, the catapults are there because this used to be a border fort a long time ago. Those old things haven't worked since we took over. But Oleg likes to leave them up because he feels like it should help keep out the riff raff. Doesn't really work, of course. There have been some bandits coming around recently, but only the one gang.
The elf looks a little surprised that someone approached him, but seems grateful for the healing. He nods to the woman.
"Thank-you priestess that does feel better. I'm Kivan Corsan and you?"
Being a stranger to such kindness Cassius thanks Svetlana. "Pleasure to meet you, my name is Cassius. Thank you very much for your hospitality, if there is anything you need of me, you need only ask"
During dinner Cassius keeps mostly to himself, while he scopes out the other members at the table.
"Names Cassius, are you all here for the expedition as well?" he said as he clearly motions to Kivan, Maja and Pretty.
Idris stretches and rubs her weary muscles after the long ride, and watches as the woman heals the elf. Good to have someone with that capability with us, she thinks.
At dinner, she introduces herself as well. "Idris, from New Stetven. I was a swordlord trainee until I was told that I would never be anything but a trainee without a noble title."
A young woman with bright red hair and copper colored eyes enters through the door and lowers the hood of her travelling cloak. She wears a simple dark green riding dress embellished with finely worked embroidery. A tall, dark haired man who looks to be many years her elder follows behind her with a stern expression and wary, ever-moving eyes.
The young woman brightly introduces herself to Svetlana and the others, "Well met, I am Seraphina and this is my elder brother Kristof." As she turns to take in the patrons of the trading post, she smiles in recognition and raises her hand in greeting to Idris and Cassius. "It is good to see you again! Will we all be travelling together then?"
Kristof says little, but shares a meal with the group before saying his goodbyes. Seraphina looks somber as he lifts her chin to look into her eyes and speaks more like a father than a brother to his youngest sibling. "You be careful out there, Sera. Mother will be devastated if you do not come back safely."
She nods and says "I will. You must take care as well. I will write when I can." She embraces him and with one last appraising look at the party, he takes his leave and begins the long journey back north.
Once her brother has gone, Seraphina's manner becomes more relaxed and less formal. "Svetlana, did you say there have been bandit raids here? What can you tell us about them?"
"You did say you had undertaken the same charter as we, Sera? I suspect we will be working and living together for quite some time," Idris replies to Seraphina. She looks over the others gathered here.
Purely as a mental exercise, Idris considers each of them in turn as a potential opponent.
Cassius looks like he's far more comfortable with a bow than a blade. That can be a true asset in the wilds, but in a duel... no. Not much of a challenge if I could get within a sword's length, she thinks.
She glances at Pretty, who has not said much yet, and notices the way she holds herself ready. She knows how to use a blade, I dare say. Something about her says she'd be deadly in a fight, if I let her get the upper hand.
The elf and Sera... I'm sure I saw her doing some magic, and elves often have arcane powers. Those are always wild cards.
She smiles and gives little sign of what her inner thoughts are, just as she has been trained.
"Hopefully we can get started soon. Everyone here seems capable enough" Cassius says to Idris and Sera.
When Sera's brother is about to leave Cassius genuinely tries to ease the Kristof's worry.
"Don't worry Kristof, we'll look after her. I understand what its like to worry about family"
Svetlana answers Seraphina, Well, 4 months ago this mean, horrid woman, a lieutenant and about 15 goons came a knockin' demanding all of our profits. Poor Oleg wouldn't have given in, confound his pride, if he didn't know full well what would happen to me if they killed him. So now they've been coming around once a month. In fact, they're due tomorrow. Good thing is, they've also gotten cocksure - only sent about 5 men last time.
"Maybe there's something we can do about this," suggests Idris.
Oh, dearie, you're too kind. I couldn't impose that on you, but I wouldn't turn down help either. Just don't let Oleg convince you that we don't need the help.
Seraphina gives a short intake of breath at this news. "How awful! They've no right to your profits." She nods earnestly at Idris' suggestion. "Yes, this must be why we've been called here. We do not have long to prepare however, where should we begin?"
"We could prepare an ambush for them. Bandits don't deserve a fair fight. It sounds like they're not expecting any sort of fight."
"I agree. Something must be done about this. What usually happens when they come? What direction do they come from? And what time do they arrive? Tell us everything you can." Cassius looks to the other members and casually says, "Well if we want to help, we need as much information as possible. Knowledge can be just as powerful as a blade or spell"
As dinner is wrapping up, Oleg finally steps into the dining room. He speaks with a gruff voice weary from hours of hard work, but also in a deeper way from years of the same. I can help with that. Now, I won't take handouts, so I'll pay you for your help, but I won't turn you away, either. He gestures to a parchment on the wall. That's the layout. The bandits just march in the front door, usually in the early morning. They're pretty quick to get the goods and leave. Probably have a long ride home. Now, I know what you're thinking - let's use those catapults - don't bother. They need days of work and supplies we don't have. But, I do have a small store of weapons if you're in need, although, judging from your packs and attire, you'll be using your own. Just let me know what I can do. You won't catch me sayin' this again, but I need your help.
1. Market Yard: This open area is where trade takes place. The two tables near the fire pit are used to display wares and serve food to visitors, while bulky trade goods are offloaded into the storage pen.
2. Guesthouse: Oleg rents out the beds in this guesthouse to anyone who wishes to stay the night at a rate of 5 sp a bed per night. A rustic breakfast and filling dinner is included in that price.
3. Stable: Oleg keeps his jittery horse Claptrap here. He rents out the other stalls to visitors’ steeds at a rate of 2 sp per stall per night—that price includes a day’s worth of water and feed and a complimentary rub down for the horse.
4. Storage Pen: This fenced area has a wooden roof to keep off most of the rain and snow—trade goods like furs and other goods are stored here until enough build up to warrant a trip to the city to sell them off. The pen is currently empty, as Oleg’s been forced to turn over his stock to the bandits.
5. Middens: Three 3-foot-deep composting pits and middens.
6. Main Hall: This squat but solid wooden building is Oleg and Svetlana’s home and the storeroom for the trading post. The double doors leading out into the market yard can be barred but not locked.
7. Dining Room: This is a comfortable room with a few chairs and a table—the Levetons use this room primarily as a dining room.
8. Office: This room is where Oleg keeps his ledgers and meets with important visitors—in theory. As of yet, no one of importance has bothered visiting the trading post.
9. Stockroom: This room is used to store the trading post’s stock. The stock currently consists of a suit of leather armor, a heavy wooden shield, two hand axes, five javelins, a longbow, two dozen arrows, a scythe, two spears, and other goods. Those listed are what Oleg has offered to loan you to combat the bandits.
10. Storeroom: This room contains two barrels of drinking water, a half-full barrel of lantern oil, three common lamps, a dozen candles, a week’s worth of firewood, a hooded lantern, 70 feet of hemp rope, a tent, and enough food (mostly cheese, hard bread, and dried venison) to last for 2 weeks. Any of this is available for use in the fight against the bandits.
11. Bedroom: This modest bedroom is where the Levetons sleep.
Pretty walks in and greets the host, speaking something in a low voice, barely audible to the ones not close. She looks around, noticing everyone. She is wearing a long sleeved dark brown jacket, with matching pants, both which seems to have many short slits that could be pockets, all that over a Chain Shirt. She doesn't look to have any weapons aside from her bow, but the veil on her head, almost like a turban, seems to be out of place, if looked closely.
She hear some introductions between them, and also the charts everyone have, but keeps quiet. With just a glimpse of an eye, Pretty sees Idris analyzing her, and recognizes the fast dueling style she also has. When they receive the bandit news she starts paying more attention, moving to get closer to the group once Oleg starts talking.
Nice. That sounds amazing, information, part of the exploration easily done, and gold! Cheers! Now let's see how much can he give us.
Well sir Oleg, if you're interested in hiring us, we will gladly help, as we cannot allow this to go any further. But we will also put our lives in great danger, as they may have the same numbers we have, and we still don't know each other well. By the way, everyone calls me by the alias of Pretty. Anyway, I'll ask you Oleg, how much are you offering us?
Straight to the money, eh. Well, I don't have much, what with the bandits and all, but I can offer you 50 gold pieces, all my potions stock, and I'll buy any of the bandits' effects that you don't want from yourselves. Plus, you can earn yourselves a free place to stay whenever you need it.
"Fair is fair, though I would undertake this for honor as well. Let's see..."
"Is there anyone who could use a bow who doesn't currently have one?"
"Yes, but I think the potions might be of more help right now. Although a bow is nothing to sniff at either."
She looks at Idris with an annoyed face, once she has spoiled her negotiation, but her quick wits find a path.
Hmmm, it doesn't seem like much for the risk, but i guess that's what you have. But you understand you're paying for one job, while getting two, right? You see, once we defeat these 5 raiders the bosses will surely order a new raid, an this time with full force. Also, they will not be happy with that, and may attempt to kill you all. So, in order to save you now we will have to defeat the incoming raid and also go after the bandits, to arrest or kill its leader. We cannot spend more time here to defend you, and their arrival will be unpredictable. So the better defense is the attack, as we will go find them and reestablish order. So, do you still think your offer is fair?
And anyway, what do you have in the potions stock?
Once that's over, she turns to Idris:
I do have a bow, but its range is short, and the arrows i deliver are not so strong. My specialty is close combat. And i believe the bandits will come inside the guard post to get the gold, so the walls might provide us a place to hide. We may give them a chest, full of heavy equipment or really anything heavy, and once two of them get it, we move in for the attack. That will get them unprepared, what do you think?
"Let us bare our secrets, at least as far as these martial matters are concerned. I am as I appear, a swordwoman, though I also have some experience with a bow. Should any of us have magic or other things to offer, let us know them now?"
"I didn't mean to interrupt your negotiations, my sincere apologies, Miss Pretty."
Oleg frowns at Pretty, I got word that you folk were coming down here to clear out the bandits and map the area for Rostland. So, when you think about it, I'm not really obligated to pay you anything. Now, I don't want to move back to Rostland, so I'm willing to do what I can to help you with your job. Honestly, you want me around. How else are you going to equip yourselves to journey in the wilderness. The next closest place to resupply is 50 miles from here.
Cassius offers "We could have two people positioned on the walls, laying low and out of sight. The rest of you stay either inside the guest-house or inside the stable. Then we allow the bandits to enter as if on a normal raid and ambush them once they make it to the market yard.
Cassius waits a moment to see everyone reaction and then asks So how does that sound?
And as for the potions, they're all for patching yourselves up afterwards. But, you can take 'em now if you like.
Sounds good Cassius, but i think Idris has a point also. Bows are great when you want to ambush someone, as it will be harder for them to see us, and also we will not run into ourselves once we charge. I'll start with my bow then, moving in right after i let fly one or two arrows.
To Oleg she smiles and says:
You're good Oleg. It will be my pleasure to make business with you. Yes, we will get rid of the bandits in the area, but we got a small down payment to start with, and we will spend many days on the run in the wilds, so i asked you that. Don't take it personal. So, do we have a heavy chest we could use, or do they receive payment in a different way and will suspect the chest?
I agree, but we do not want to put everyone on the wall. It will give them more opportunity for them to see us. Surely you can fire an arrow or two from the stable or even hide around a corner. Considering I am much better with a bow then i am with a sword, I think I should be on the wall Cassius says to Pretty.
He then turns to Oleg Do you have any spare wood we could use to pile on the wall to provide more cover, Mr. Oleg?
Pretty looks to Idris and shakes her head a little bit while waving her hand, in a clear move that means Don't worry Idris.
Sure do, lad. Take whatever you need. I got lumber, sacks of grain, blankets. Just take your pick.
"These bandits are certainly complacent to come right in that way. Basic tactics suggests one should not enter an enemy compound you do not control. Or perhaps they consider you completely cowed by their force."
Idris looks at the map on the wall. "If we can catch them in the crossfire, we could cut them down with arrows and then those here on the ground could move in with swords and axes. Oleg, you look pretty strong -- think you could swing an axe to fight with us?"
Idris then looks at Maja, Seraphina, and Kivan, asking, "Is there any magic we could bring to bear against them?"
If someone is on the wall with me, then once we fire a few arrows, we can jump down and close the doors?
Cassius then turns to Oleg, You seem to be a handy craftsman, do you think you would be able to help me construct sufficient cover on the wall?
Idris, I think it is unwise to put Oleg in unnecessary danger. If there is only 4 or 5 of them, we should be able to take care of them ourselves. I don't want his blood on our hands Cassius says to Idris.
Seraphina's eyes widen a bit as Idris speaks of laying secrets bare. She was careful not to let her claws be seen and was not about to reveal them to a group of virtual strangers with no way to guess at what they would make of them.
"I have some skill with magic. If they are not a very strong group, I may be able to knock them out with rather colorful display but I would need to catch them in a pretty tight group. Beyond that, I'll do what I can from range. I wouldn't be much use in a hand to hand fight though." She smiles sheepishly, certain that this is not a lie, at least... not yet.
"I just need to get within 10ft of them."
"Oh a very Colorful display indeed. I think you and I are thinking of the same thing."
Oleg shares a resolved glance with Svetlana and says Yes. I'll do anything I can. Svetlana frowns, but she must know that there will be no talking Oleg out of it.
And to you, son, of course. We'll have them done in no time. Which we must, as they'll likely be here first thing in the morning.
"Those of us on the ground could be in the stable and the storage pen, ready to attack them once they reach the center. That should be close enough for your colorful display, I would think? Or would you rather be on the wall beside the gate and perform your magics as soon as they enter? Seems to me it might be hard to get the whole group in that case."
"Oh a very Colorful display indeed. I think you and I are thinking of the same thing."
Sera gins brightly at Kivan, her eyes lighting up with enthusiasm. "Maybe we could come at them from both sides, you and I? Catch them in a bottleneck and they would be like lambs come to slaughter!" But as soon as the words leave her lips, her face blanches as she tries to picture herself slitting the throat of a sleeping man. She wasn't sure she could do such a thing.
"Could me and ummm... miss mage hide in the cart with the rope and spring up when they got near and blast them with our spells? Being forewarned of their approach by the people on the wall."
Who else will join me on the wall? I think either Kivan or Sera should join me on the wall Cassius asks.
Oleg, if we want to be ready by morning we should get to work quickly. I don't mean to rush you, but the sooner we finish the sooner we can rest before tomorrow. Cassius explains, trying to be as polite as possible.
"I will join you, Cas." Seraphina peers at the layout. "If Kivan is in the cart and I am on the wall, he pops out and casts once they are in range and I cast before they step beyond mine. We should catch most of them that way, I think... How far away can we see them coming from the wall?" She asks Oleg, trying to smile reassuringly to him and Svetlana.
"I'm not sure we should close the door. If we offer the possibility of escape, they might fight less fiercely. On the other hand, we don't want to let them actually escape... yes, better close the door."
Sera and I can close the door after we get the jump on the them. We'll be pretty close anyways because we'll be on the wall
You can see 'em coming from miles away. They don't take any care to hide, and there's nothing blocking your view. Just remember that they can see you, too, if you aren't careful.
Pretty will move later to the gate to check from any cracks that could flaw her hiding place.
Do you have anyone that could close the gates for us Oleg? Do the bandits come with horses by the way, and would you have a horse we could borrow if any of them escape? We also must assume they are not so stupid and keep someone at watch from a distance, right?