Initiative
Rhasa, down on one knee to present a slightly smaller target, grabs up an arrow and, bow tilted across her body to clear the ground, draws back and fires at the bandit that doesn't appear to have been affected by Barnabus' spell.
Longbow attack
Damage
Barnabus activates the feral speech hex and yells out to the horses.
"Please calm yourselves we are after the men who ride upon you!"
Diplomacy
Gorguk will ride Durok up to the bandits and stop just outside of the entanglement (preferably 15ft away from 1 of the bandits.) Not initiating any attacks himself, he will simply remain where he is and order the men to drop there weapons.
We do not follow the Staglord's orders or listen to his demands. We are here to free the Greenlands from the oppression that he has placed upon its occupants. Drop your weapons now or suffer the consequences.
intimidate
Gorguk would have drawn his lance as he neared the bandits.
The magician eyed the bandit patrol leader and assumed his combat stance, ready to defend not only himself but Rhasa as well.
As soon as Calinder see his spell cause the plants to tangle around the horses hooves, he picks up his loaded crossbow, taking aim at the bandit leader and fires.
Replies to the horses.
"Sorry not my spell that one. Once we have these bandits subdued we shall discuss your desires."
To the others
"Tha horses should not be harmed."
Rhasa stands, straps on her quiver, puts her bow over her shoulder, and moves to where her sword is hidden under the bedroll. Pulling it out and sheathing it, she moves to stand next to Lothar facing the bandit leader and his blinded associates. "Your man might yet be saved. Throw down your weapons. The longer you delay, the more likely he will bleed out at your feet."
With Rhasa safely by his side, Lothar held to the hope that the encounter would play itself out peacefully. Those that stand before you are the Wardens of the Green and we act on behalf of the Swordlords. The one on horseback is Gorguk, our leader and paladin of Erastil. Who are you that you speak so freely with the Stag Lord's authority?
Gorguk will refrain from saying too much more until the man speaks.
Even though he is addressing the leader, Gorguk is speaking loud enough so that all the bandits have no trouble hearing and understanding him.As Lothar has said, we have been tasked by the Swordlords to establish a presence here in the Greenlands. However, ever since we have arrived, we have been beset upon by the STaglord's men and women. It is now my aim to overthrow the Staglord and remove him completely. This I do not just because the Swordlords have asked it of us, but because the people that call this area home have been threatened and bullied enough by the Staglord and his men. I myself may not have the power to overthrow him, but the Wardens do have the power to see that through. The penalty of banditry is death according to the Swordlords. Thus we would be within our charter to slay you all where you stand. We, the Guardians, have chosen to let some live that are truly repentant and have changed their ways. Dyfrig is one such redeemed soul. The choice is now before you all. Repent and renounce the Staglord or suffer the consequences. Know also that I can see into your hearts and tell if you are lying to me.
diplomacy initially
bluff on being able to tell if they are lying
sense motive
What you say is true. Even though the Swordlords may try and lay claim to this land, if they do not support the people here, then few are those who would support them. As to your complaint about us slaying those who choose a different path than ours, you may see it as arrogance, I choose to see it as the people crying out for help that are not strong enough to do it themselves. People like Oleg and Svetlana who are trying to live their lives in peace and prosperity only to be downtrodden by the Staglord and his men. What arrogance has he that he should dictate to others how they should live their lives? At least the Wardens stand on ideals and principles that are larger than themselves. We struggle so that people will have the freedom to exist without the oppression of a tyrannical ruler. If this seems the height of arrogance, let me assure you then that I am arrogant as are we all.
What we offer is a chance to redeem yourself of your past and strive for the future. No more can any man offer as the rest is up to you. A man's heart may change but that takes hard work and diligence. It is no easy thing, but the rewards are a lifelong fulfillment. That being said, the crime of banditry still requires punishment. Dyfrig has entered into our services for a period of time to repay his debts. We agreed to provide protection and guidance if he joins us as cook. I ask you this, what do you feel would be proper considerations for your repayment to those whom the staglord has affected? Think carefully before you answer.
Barnabus inserts himself into the conversation....
"The paths offered are many, in fact any other than highwaymen, one has become a cook, another overnight tha finest brewer in tha land."
"Dyfrig has paid his debt, he did so when he turned from his path, now he is paying forwards."
"Even mah path varies from those of the Guardians, what role will I have in tha future are unknown to even me. I being a tinkerer, with tha ability to speak with animals."
"My code is simple: A tinker's debt is always paid:
Once for any simple trade
Twice for freely given aid
Thrice for any insult made"
Sense Motive
Rhasa keeps watching him steadily.
"Pretty words. You are still holding your sword and your man is still bleeding to death."
"Aye speak o that speak of tha paths you have chosen an abandoned."
We are grateful for the words you've chosen, but a man may only speak for himself, sir. Lothar nodded toward the other bandits as he spoke, his accent returned to normal. He raised his voice so that they may hear. What of your men? How will they choose? Will they do as you've done and choose a life of service so that they may amend the wrongs and harm they've done? Or will they choose death in the name of a terrorist that cares not a whit for their well being at all?
The magician's stance did not change. Nor would it until he knew for certain that the danger of combat had passed.
Calinder stood ready with another bolt loaded in his crossbow ready to fire if needed.
For now though he listened intently, especially after the lead bandit mentioned is past.
Since Lothar broached the subject o f the others, GOrguk will remain silent waiting for their responses. Sense MOtive He will use this time to contemplate what the ex-paladin has said and try to formulate a fitting response.
After a bit, While I wish to bring you back into the fold, I don't know if your heart would ever be ready for that commitment again. [b]sigh [b] I will have to put aside my own wants and desires for you to see that you are on the path that you wish to take. It would do no good for me to force you into returning to the paladin brotherhood. Such a circumstance as that would be far worse of me than what the Staglord has done. There is no freedom in that but only slavery to an ideal that I hold and not yourself. If you wish for guidance on the subject I will be available, but I think that you should talk to Cal instead.
As with Dyfrig, you shall join us for a period of time of 1 year from today. At the end of this sentence you are free to go where you wish knowing that all debts have been paid. If you wish to stay with us that is your choice as well. In what areas can you best serve us. You know your strengths and weaknesses. In what area would you want to repay the debt you owe?
If the other bandits are likewise repentant, Gorguk will ask them as well where they would like to serve for the year sentence.
Either way, Gorguk will ask the conditions of the Staglord's fort when they left and how to infiltrate the grounds.
I can be trusted to act favorably to my friends and hold them in high esteem. I can be trusted to hunt down this Staglord and remove him from this area. I can be trusted to honor my word and carry out my vows. If that is not good enough for you than I will never be able to prove my trust to you.
As to your assertion that I am arrogant still. What I said was not out of arrogance but out of honesty. I would enjoy seeing you return to the faith. However, I also said that I would not force this upon you but rather give you the option and the people to talk to. If you think that it is arrogance to tell you that you will serve some form of penance for your past actions, than I am guilty of that as well. Even in this, I still gave you the option of how best you would serve. I will admit that I did say 'join us' when other options are available. The 'us' I meant was the people who strive for a better life and who have suffered from the Staglord. Why a former bandit is with Oleg right now helping to repair his home and business. There is a temple dedicated to Erastil a short distance form here. It could use a guardian until such time that it could be properly restored. If you wish to serve in such a way then that is your choice but the sentence still remains. If you choose to join us and actively engage the remaining bandits and help overthrow the Staglord, then we will see about cancelling the sentence earlier. I would not have you join us and be in harms way without reducing the sentence. That decision would have to be made by all of the Wardens however. Does this seem a fair and proper sentence or is this too arrogant of a proposition for you?
Since you have indicated that you would fight with us, I thank you and hope that this works for all of us. What combat strengths do you possess that we may know your abilities before we engage the Staglord?
Reflex on Durok
LOH the fallen bandit
The last bandit,You have made your choice....If Rhasa would take him out on horseback that is fine otherwise Gorguk will ride him down.
Rhasa nods at the leader's words and relaxes. Seeing the fourth bandit trying to flee and knowing that Gorguk is tending to the wounded man, she walks around the entangling plants as she fits another arrow into her bow.
"It would seem that perhaps I shot the wrong man. Tell me, would you rather that I let you bleed to death when I bring you down, or would you prefer a mercy strike? It matters not to me."
If he surrenders, she won't shoot him (of course), but if he insists on trying to get the horse to move - or is successful in getting the animal to turn, she will endeavor to put an arrow in him at point-blank range.
Attack (if necessary)
Damage
Confirm (if necessary)
Damage
"Just let me know if you would like me to release the effects of the spell. That may make it easier to for Gorguk to treat the other poor fellow, although that would let the other go free."
"Barnabus, if he goes free, does he go mounted? Or on foot?"
"Let me check."
@ horses
"Do these men treat you well?"
End the spell Barnabus so that the horses don't spook. We have accomplshed what we came here to do. No need to make the animals suffer.
With a wave of his hand and words of thanks to Erastil, Calinder ends the spell that caused the plants to grasp on to everyone in the area of the bandits.
"Does that make things a little easier, friend Paladin?"
Aye Akiros, we strive for law but know that to fulfill that purpose we must use force now. Hopefully there comes a time when we do not have to use force and that our name and what we stand for will cause others to refrain from force as well. That is my hope anyways. What the future may hold I know not. It may be that I am doomed to live a life of the sword and lance while those who come after can reap the peace that we have brought.
REaching a hand down to bandit #1, Those who want to see the Greenlands safe and free from the Staglord have won.
"Tha horses report being well tended so these men have capacity to do well within them."
"Afterall tha information came straight from tha horses mouths."
Rhasa's first concern will be retrieving the horse, whether the rider remains in the saddle or not - she's confident of the shot. She will follow the horse and try to calm it down if necessary.
Handle Animal
Once she has the horse and has taken it back to where the others are, she will collect a shovel and head back to where bandit #3 fell. She will dig a grave for him off the trail about 15 yards and place him in it after retrieving any valuables that might be returned to his family or contributed to the cause.
Given a chance, Gorguk will talk to the other Wardens when Akiros is not within hearing distance. What's everyone thoughts on Akiros? Have him fight beside us at the fort directly or some other alternative. Personally, if we do have him aid us directly in the fighting, I would think that would start proving his character that we could reduce his sentence. Depending on his background and why he became a bandit, would it be enough to cancel the debt entirely? Or should we keep the sentence as is but allow more freedom in his duties ?
I'm inclined to see what path Akiros walks. He is at a spiritual crossroads and must be given the opportunity to determine his own way. There is a sense of honor to the man that his fall from grace has not denied. I think we can trust him to fight beside us when the time comes.
"I would caution these fits o rage he has, perhaps he should forswear tha sword till his rage is lessened."
Rhasa's answer is abrupt. "Bring him. Or don't." She shrugs and walks away, over to the horse of the fallen bandit.
After removing the gear from the animal, she leads it a short distance from the camp. She begins to carefully and methodically rub him down. Anyone approaching can hear her talking to the horse in a very serious tone.
Lothar excused himself from the other Wardens, then made his way to where his partner Rhasa stood with the dead bandit's horse. After watching the elven ranger rub the animal down for a moment, the magician spoke:
Talk to me.
She stops, but doesn't turn to face him. After a moment, she starts rubbing again. Her movements are gentle and unhurried, but the magician can see the tension in her movements nonetheless. Finally, she responds. "Why did he make me shoot him?"
Barnabus: These fits of rage may be no more harmful than my own righteous anger when presented with the evil of men. Removing that from me would be removing a piece of the core of who I am. Maybe this rage contributed to his fall of a paladin but is no less integral to who he is. A reckless rage I would agree with you, but a controlled fury would be a great asset.
I can no more answer that than I could how many archons dance on the head of a pin. Lothar chuckled at the thought, then continued: In the end, only that man knows why he did what he did. Just as only you know why you took the shot. Again, the magician paused. Unless your question is purely a rhetorical one and the true query you need answered is 'Why did I shoot him?' And even then I still cannot give you the answer that you seek. I'm no master of philosophy. Matters that weigh on the spirit have always eluded me.
The magician took a tentative step toward the ranger. But you're not alone. Do not act as though you are. You are a Warden of the Green and we are here for you, Golden Arm. Now and always, given our pitifully short lifespans compared to yours.
She stops and finally looks at the magician. There is no sadness, only anger, in her eyes.
"I know why I took the shot. So should you." Her large eyes bore into him for a moment before explaining, "I said I would."
She turns back to the horse, her task almost complete. "I said I would. But I did not want to have to."
Guiding the horse back to the camp, walking along with her friend, she says, "I know I'm not alone. If I thought my actions did not have the potential to bring harm to the Wardens, I might have let him flee. But I could not let him run back to the Stag Lord and warn him. I never felt alone in this world - but I needed some time alone in the moment, to look at my anger for what it was."
As they walk, her face relaxes and she asks, "What do you think of the men that surrendered? Are they to be trusted to take up arms next to us? To take a watch while we camp at night?"
Calinder chooses not to speak for the time, struggling what to do with, or make of this Akiros Isamort. Former follower and Paladin of Erastil, the very deity that he himself follows.
For now he decides to just listen to the conversation that his fellow Wardens are having. Once things settle down and evening is upon them, he decides a good deal of time spent in meditation and prayer may result in an answer.
In the mean time while listening to Gorguk and Barnabus, Calinder removes the bolt from his crossbow, storing it away with the others, and then releasing the firing mechanism so as not to leave it in readied state.
You are possessed of a good nature. It is that very reason your heart is troubled. I would be very worried had you felt differently about your deed. We each have our own way of dealing with things and in that regard, we are more than alike. I only reminded you of what you already knew because I suspect that you would do the same for me.
Walking with Rhasa, Lothar continued: As for the men, I'm optimistic enough to think that we can trust them. With us they have at least a chance at redemption. Care should still be taken as kindness should never be viewed as weakness. For example, one of us to sit with one of them during watch. Is there a reason that you ask these things, Golden Arm?
@ Gorguk
"Let us discuss tha rages, perhaps those fit into tha realm of Gozreh more tha anywhere else tha man may fit as a tempest an may indeed be o help."
@Topper Red
"Perhaps you are tha one to tell tha tales, an be tha voice for your group an tell us o tha staglords evil reign."