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"Ah, yes, perhaps my companions are not being entirely clear." Numalar clears his throat.
"But I apologize. Firstly, I am Numalar Auritonius, of Valdralee, and I am honored to make your acquaintance." Numalar doffs his hat and bows deeply.
"Secondly, all of us received a royal charter from the Swordlords of Restov. The main thrust of the charter is that we explore these lands, known locally as the Greenbelt. But one provision of the charter is that we 'strive against banditry whenever possible.'"
"When we first arrived in the region we defeated a bandit group that was extorting goods from a local trading post run by Oleg and Svetlana Leveton. Those bandits originated from this camp. So, we deemed it prudent to deal with the bandits here, before they decided to come looking for their fellows and take revenge against the Levetons."
"While the Swordlords do expect us to work to rid these lands of bandits if possible, I doubt if they have ever heard of the Stag Lord specifically. He is just a local bandit leader. Fighting bandits it is not our primary mandate, and now that the local threat of these knaves is dealt with, we hope to get back to our original goal of exploration."
"From the sounds of it you are also exploring, so we have that in common at least. Is there truly an elven hold near here? I have never been to elven lands."
Numalar looks around at the bodies. He takes out his monocle and polishes it before putting it in. "But before we get into details with that, we need to make sure everything is secure here."
Numalar mutters something and makes a strange gesture with one of his hands.
Treasure Inventory:
Kressle - studded leather armor, 2 masterwork handaxes, 4 daggers, 150 gp
Faeria (illusionist) - scrolls of disguise self (2), scroll of expeditious retreat, scroll of invisibility, scrolls of obscuring mist, thunderstone, dagger, light crossbow with 10 masterwork bolts, brooch of shielding (5 charges), smokestick, spellbook (all Core Book cantrips but those of the abjuration and necromancy schools), color spray, disguise self, expeditious retreat, grease, obscuring mist, and vanish), 67 gp
6 rank and file bandits - leather armor (6), longbows (6) with 110 arrows, battleaxe, longswords (2), shortswords (3), thunderstones (2), 12 days of trail rations, 60 gp total among them.
Plus the stuff in the supply area (under the hunter's blind Blackie was on) which aside from Alia and Scarlet's personal gear included: a polished wooden case, 3 big wood crates, a longsword, and a shortsword taken from Scarlet and Alia's dead companions, a pair of saddle bags containing some coin and other valuables, a couple of sacks filled with trial rations (6) and a few bundles of onions. There are also six tents.
Zokon calls the members of the charter over to talk to them
"I was thinking that they helped so we should offer them a share of the loot each then we go back to Olegs and sell the stuff, put in some orders for gear we shall need, provisions and stuff, your ideas?"
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scrolls of obscuring mist,
a polished wooden case, 3 big wood crates,
Zokon calls the members of the charter over to talk to them
Numalar looks up at Zokon, thinking. "I agree that we should treat these people fairly. They seem like decent folk. But for now I have in mind letting them keep what possessions are theirs or of their fallen friends, and likewise the goods of the three bandits they dealt with, and for now we take the rest."
"Mind you, we should see what their plans are for the future. If they are explorers then perhaps they can travel with us for a while and we can explore this area together; if so we can share and share alike."
scrolls of obscuring mist,
a polished wooden case, 3 big wood crates,
1 scroll, the polished case contains 12 wine bottles--8 are still full containing an green tinted liquid. The other (basic) wooden crates contain furs and hides.
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the polished case contains 12 wine bottles--8 are still full containing an green tinted liquid.
A green wine? Or some other type of fluid? Hmmm...
Numalar uncorks one of the bottles and gives it a sniff.The other (basic) wooden crates contain furs and hides.
"Aha! No doubt these are the trade goods that were extorted from Master Oleg. They are his property so I feel we should return them to him."
the polished case contains 12 wine bottles--8 are still full containing an green tinted liquid.A green wine? Or some other type of fluid? Hmmm...
Numalar uncorks one of the bottles and gives it a sniff.
[dice=Appraise]1d20 + 3
Posh smiles to the young woman's question.
"Nope. Never been nor met a bandit before." he states before searching the bodies and attempting to stabilize those who may have been bleeding out. "Just because they were bandits, doesn't mean they were all bad. I'm sure some were coerced or forced into this group."
Scarlet pulls out her rope and ties up the bandit, Verdigris. "Lucky you" She tells him as she restrains him. "I would've finished you off, but it sounds like these fellas know a guard station we can dump you in."
Scarlet grins from ear to ear as she tells the survivor this. She loves playing bad cop.
"But I apologize. Firstly, I am Numalar Auritonius, of Valdralee, and I am honored to make your acquaintance." Numalar doffs his hat and bows deeply.
She walks back to the party and is thrown off by Numalar's grace. "Sounds reasonable to me. It's about time they tried to establish some kind of order out here. Bandits aren't the worst thing out here. Not by a longshot." She extends her hand again for a shake.
"Just because they were bandits, doesn't mean they were all bad. I'm sure some were coerced or forced into this group."
Hearing Posh's statement about the bandits. "The difference between mercenaries like me and these bandits are slim. If the contract doesn't feel right though, I'll gladly betray my employer and put my life and reputation on the line, but I know others aren't that brave or tough."
Scarlet finally breaks off the arrow sticking out of her chest. "Celyne, I don't suppose you can help me with this wound? One of the cowards gave me this as a parting gift."
"I agree, let us first secure our surroundings. You did mention a Stag Lord? These were his man and woman, I assume. One of them got away, will that not complicate matters for you unless you track him down?"
Having reached Golden Boy, Alia picks up the Estoc next to his body, carefully cleans the blade, then walks back to the storage area, finding her other belongings, and sheating the sword.
The most important thing out of the way, Alia watches the Gnome stabilize the bandits.
Aye, these are good people. Unless I'm misreading the situation, they will spare them, give them a chance to change and walk another path. They do not simply kill those they defeated. Good!
"Numular, I am most certain there is a Elven Hold in these lands. We did have a guide, and a map, with directions beyond just finding the location. The guide was murdered, and the map is missing. I have no idea what value it would have to these bandits, but it's gone."
Alia looks around, trying to guess where she currently is in this wilderness.
"I have come too far to accept defeat because of what happened. Our expedition was sponsored as well. Returning empty-handed is not an option I want to consider. You said you are exploring these lands- if so, there is a good chance you would come across hints regarding the location of this ancient bastion of my people, or local fey with knowledge about it. In that case, may I formally suggest to explore together, for a while, at least? We have the same task ahead of us, even if for different reasons and different masters, but numbers give safety, and ours were diminished already."
"Oh my, that looks painful... of course I'd be happy to help."
Celyne casts cure light wounds on Scarlet.
"Seems we are being friendly, may I suggest we rest make camp and get to know each other around a fire, maybe even share a bottle or two of loot, if we are to travel together we should know each other, so that we may better work as a team"
Zokon then continues his work of carrying the bodies off a ways and gathering loot in a pile, nothing has taken his fancy at the moment except for the food and drink
"Many thanks, Celyne." She nods as most of her wounds close. "A good night's rest and I'll be in tip top shape."
"I'll get the fire started. At least these bandits had tents." Scarlet nods and looks for a good spot to make a firepit.
** spoiler omitted **
Later that night...
Scarlet hangs out by the fire. Her hair seems to shimmer as she fixes her gaze on the flame.
"So, I've been a mercenary ever since my brohter turned an adult. We'd travel around Brevory, defending caravans, fighting invaders, collecting artifacts and stuff." She smiles and looks towards the moon.
"I spent a year alone. Couldn't stand it. Too many people makin' fun of me. My brother told me to hold on, but..." she shrugs. "By the time I came back, he was gone."
"My mercenary job continues. Keeps me goin'. Fighting helps me clear my thoughts..."
"What would you think of joining us, I mean we're not exactly mercenaries, and we couldn't really pay you a standard fee, but you'd be more like one of us and get an equal share of what we manage to acquire. Finding mercenary work might be tough out here... and we are an option to at least consider... you have a good strong arm and a fighting spirit... we could certainly use that... and your shy friend with the bow would be welcome as well." She turns and smiles toward Alia.
She turns and looks at her companions, hoping she hasn't actually said more than she has a right to... after all, they hadn't discussed this as a group... then she adds... "Of course, my companions would have to be amenable to such an agreement, I don't really have the right to speak for all... just my own opinion is that you'd be welcome."
"I know there was already talk of you traveling with us, but I think making it a bit more 'formal' of an invitation would be appropriate."
"Heh, I wouldn't consider Alia shy." Scarlet grins. "Just cautious. We didn't know if you were a rival group or somethin'."
"I'm still protecting Alia, so I'm good with her decision." Scarlet nods and moves her hands close to the flame. "If I had it my way, I would help you out here. The kings aren't doing enough for this place. I'd love to help protect the people here, however I can."
Celyne turns to Alia, lofts a brow and tilts her head questioningly. "What do you say, Alia?.. .it seems your guardian has deferred to you on the subject."
Zokon is relaxing near the fire listening in, he sits upright at Celynes words.
"Well thats a bit more of an offer than travelling companions, how about a trial period, if we have consensus after that we offer them full team membership and petition the swordlords for charters. After all these charters we have are valuable and we shouldn't just admit anyone without being sure of their quality."
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She extends her hand again for a shake.
Numalar seems surprised for a moment; clearly he is not used to well-armed women offering to shake his hand. But he recovers quickly and shakes Scarlet's hand warmly, gripping her hand as firmly as he is able (which isn't especially firm, actually; Scarlet can feel a certain frailty in the man).
"In that case, may I formally suggest to explore together, for a while, at least? We have the same task ahead of us, even if for different reasons and different masters, but numbers give safety, and ours were diminished already."
"This had been my thought also, and it seems my companions agree. So let it be so!"
"Well thats a bit more of an offer than travelling companions, how about a trial period, if we have consensus after that we offer them full team membership and petition the swordlords for charters. After all these charters we have are valuable and we shouldn't just admit anyone without being sure of their quality."
Numalar smirks at the mention of the charters.
"Don't get too big a head over these charters," Numalar says. "They put no obligations on the Swordlords at all; they don't even mention a reward for fulfilling them. All they really are is a 'get-out-of-jail-free' card we can play if someone in Brevoy tries to hold us to account for what we have been up to out here."
"It is up to the Swordlords as to who to issue these charters to, and they have issued them to others without our consent before. But we can always ask if it comes to that; there's no rush."
"In the meantime, while we do not trust each other fully yet, I see no impediment to us working together as long as we have a common goal."
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"I'll get the fire started. At least these bandits had tents." Scarlet nods and looks for a good spot to make a firepit.
"Actually, we have a camp a short way from here, and our mounts are there. We should retire to there rather than remain here."
Numalar looks around at the bodies.
"Poshment, did you manage to revive any of them? Those that fell, what should we do with the bodies? Perhaps we should burn them? I don't feel like digging graves but it is not good to leave dead men for the animals; such creatures might acquire a taste for human flesh."
"Oh yeah. Guess we should bury the dead before they attract too much." Scarlet stands up and looks for a shovel or other digging tool. "My brother's better at this, but I'm not too shabby."
She looks to the conscious, restrained bandit. "And what do you do about this guy? Take him back to Oleg's guards? Release him if he promises to be a good boy and brush his teeth every day from now on? Spank him for a few hours then send him home to momma?"
Posh rolls his eye at Scarlet's comment.
"People can change if you only give them the tools and the oppitunity." he states and looks to Numalar "I am no healer. I don't believe I could have saved any of them, but I hoped that some managed to stop bleeding on their own."
After a moment of reflaction he then goes back to his usual grinning self.
"So, back to Oleg and Svetlana's wonderful soup?" he chirps up to the group
"Lets take the bandit with us, he may know where Byron is, for the newcomers Byron is Vekkels son a friendly farmer nearby, he's with the bandits at the moment, though not here as far as I can tell"
Zokon stops and thinks for a second and continues talking
"As the group decides I shall follow and that is a good point, I'm definitely going to have to get used to being in the wild... there are nasty things out here that are attracted to food, I think maybe burn as I don't think we have a shovel"
Posh struggles mightily to resuscitate the failing bandits nearest him (Kressle, Bruiser and Faeria). It is almost too painful to watch the unskilled medic at work, but he goes on trying.
She looks to the conscious, restrained bandit. "... Spank him for a few hours then send him home to momma?"
Scarlet sits down and tries to help Posh resuscitate the bandits. "A soft spot for them, eh? I hear ya. The difference between a mercenary and a bandit isn't too far. If they had a decent employer, maybe things would have differently."
It becomes clear quickly that Scarlet isn't much of a healer, and she gets frustrated halfway through. "My boss was a healer. Guess I relied on her too often to bandage me up, and didn't learn much for myself. Sorry."
"It's true. Everything can change. These short-lived races all the more so...they need a purpose and guidance, though. Wilderness does not turn into farmland by itself, ore does not smelt itself and turn into weapons or tools."
Alia takes a close look at the face of the bandit that was taken prisoner, pointing towards the gnome trying to safe some of the bandits, but clearly speaking to the others rather than to the captive man: "So normally I would help, try to safe them so that they could change in the future courtesy of a guiding hand showing them the right way, but I have no skill in the healing arts. As a matter of fact, one of these bandits here must have killed my friend who was trained in the use of herbs and first-aid. So I suppose if they had shown mercy to him, then he could show mercy to them now. Kismet. I won't interfere, if the Gods have plans for any of these man, they will survive by themselves."...with these words, she points her finger at the prisoner and addresses him directly:"You, for example, are lucky. I would suggest you thank whoever you pray to for this gift, for this second life, and make it count. Settle down, raise kids, learn a Craft. If I meet you again pursuing this profession, I will slit your throat while you are down."
With that, she turns around, walks to the storage and proceeds to put on her Chainshirt.
Later, when it's discussed what to do with the dead: "They may have made ill choices in life, and I have reason to hate them. But you are right in that they should not feed the local wildlife lest any of these beasts aquire a taste for humanoids. If they had no shovel in their camp to bury dead, then their custom likely was to burn them. I'm inclined to return the favor."
Even later, when it's discussed on what conditions we would travel together over a bottle of herbal Wine: "The way I see it, you are doing us a favor by not leaving us 2 alone out here in the wilderness. We would not want to cause you trouble with your backers. Scarlet may be interested in a more permanent employment with the swordlords once her contract with me is fulfilled, but I will need to hear from my own sponsors before I can tell you what the future holds for me. But speaking of the future, what's your next steps? I heared you plan to return to this trading post you mentioned, but afterwards? Are you just exploring these lands randomly, or have you got a plan?"
Celyne, seeing Posh's intense efforts, walks over and joins him. "I'm sorry I never learned the stabilize spell, but perhaps it is for the best. They would get short shrift as bandits if we were to turn them over to authorities... wait.. we ARE the authorities here... Still and all, if they don't agree to give up their ways, what are we to do? Outright kill them while they are tied up helpless? I guess that is for the others to decide. I will help try to keep them alive, but I'll not spend healing magics on them, when our own may need them more."
Posh struggles mightily to resuscitate the failing bandits nearest him (Kressle, Bruiser and Faeria). It is almost too painful to watch the unskilled medic at work, but he goes on trying.
** spoiler omitted **
Posh smiles up to Celyne as she attempts to help him with dealing with these bandits, but she raises a very good point afterwards.
"If they do not wish to change then they are truely lost and nothing can be done for them." he states simply with a shrug. "We can let Oleg decide as he and his wife have lived here for many years and have more of a right in the decision in my mind."
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Numalar watches Posh's healing attempts with a raised eyebrow, but does not offer to help.
"...wait.. we ARE the authorities here... "
"Well, technically speaking, if anyone were the authorities around here, it would be these men we have just defeated. The Stag Lord is the only one that actually lays any claim to these lands - not that I respect his claim, of course. He can hardly be said to be governing them. But Brevoy does not claim the Stolen Lands, though it might if we do well on our mission. But though there is no real law here, we should still do what is right."
" but I'll not spend healing magics on them, when our own may need them more."
"Speaking of which, it seems that Alia is wounded. Celyne, perhaps you can help."
Celyne, seeing Posh's intense efforts, walks over and joins him. "I'm sorry I never learned the stabilize spell, but perhaps it is for the best. They would get short shrift as bandits if we were to turn them over to authorities... wait.. we ARE the authorities here... Still and all, if they don't agree to give up their ways, what are we to do? Outright kill them while they are tied up helpless? I guess that is for the others to decide. I will help try to keep them alive, but I'll not spend healing magics on them, when our own may need them more."
In spite of Poshment's and Scarlet's initial 'help,' Celyne is able to stave off death (at least temporarily) for Kressle, Faeria, and Golden Boy (though his life hangs by a feeble thread). Pharasma claims the rest.
Celyne walks over to Alia and while she is visually assessing the woman's wounds, she asks her directly... "Do you need healing? I am happy to offer if you are hurt."
Looking at the unconscious but alive bandits..
"Well that does it. We have to stay here until we can move them."
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Celyne is able to stave off death (at least temporarily) for Kressle, Faeria, and Golden Boy.
"Well that does it. We have to stay here until we can move them."
"What are you suggesting? Do we send some people to fetch our friend, horses, and guests and bring them back here?"
"We could probably build a travois for these three if we wanted. Just take two long poles and but them in a V. Tie a cloth between them, and tie the ends to a horse or my mule gertrude. They drag the wide ends along the ground. It's bumpy but better than nothing. The rest of us would have to walk though."
"I don't care about waking them. Let's just take them back to Olegs and we can figure out the rest on the way." he shrugs with a soft smile "We could leave the others for the crows. Birds got to eat too."
[b]"Well to carry three that's a pretty impressive travois, if we can rig it up, i'm for that plan.
Scarlet looks around for additional horses the bandits were using. "With Alia and I we're at least 2 horses short, anyway." Hoisting Kressle over her shoulder, she grunts. "Ready when you are."
"Thank you, Celyne, much appreciated! It is kind of you to offer freely, I thought in human lands one had to pay for this kind of help-"
Alia looks at the unconscious new prisoners who survived despite the attempts of Posh and Scarlet, then addresses Zokon, Numular, and Scarlet, when she intends to lift up Kressle: "You took more prisoners? You have 3 conscious and 3 unconscious? Why not have each of the waking ones pull one of the others in a travois? They'll take care to not walk over sharp rocks with their comrades, they can't run away if bound to the travois, and there's not enough horses for everybody to ride anyway. If they will be exhausted at night from trying to keep up, all the better."
"Not a bad idea, we just have to get back to our other campsite first to get the other two"
"Not a bad idea, we just have to get back to our other campsite first to get the other two"
Poshment nods.
"If they work it can aid them. I suggest we look at this as a case-by-case standard." he smiles as he says this openly.