As you all settle in for the night, Hikari and one of the merchant men stand guard. The first hour or so passes uneventfully, but soon all hell breaks loose.
Strange men in black clothing come racing out of the jungle on either side of the camp, yelling in a strange language. The suddenness of the assault surprises nearly all of you, who were just on the verge of sleeping, and even surprised Hikari who was watching the strange merchants more closely than paying attention to external threats. The merchant guard does react quickly.
Expected Ambush - Surprise Round
22 Merchant 2 (surprised)
22 G'Boar (surprised)
22 White Bandit
21 Purple Bandit
20 Merchant 3 (surprised)
20 Bapak (surprised)
17 Gold Bandit
16 Mordan (surprised)
14 Merchant 1
11 Green Bandit
11 Eldak (surprised)
10 Merchant 4 (surprised)
9 Swift Wing (surprised)
8 Hikari (surprised)
8 Red Bandit 2
5 Red Bandit
5 White 2 Bandit
5 Blue Bandit
As the surprised party members and merchants recover, the White and Purple bandits advance from the north and south simultaneously. Using the fire light as a backdrop, Gold Bandit fires an arrow at the nearest merchant, but the arrow sails wide of the mark.
The unsurprised merchant guard draws his shortsword and closes with the nearest bandit, but is unable to get an attack off quickly.
The rest of the bandits simply rush forward during the surprise round, but none get close enough for any attacks.
End of Surprise Round
Expected Ambush - Round 1
22 Merchant 2
22 G'Boar
22 White Bandit
21 Purple Bandit
20 Merchant 3
20 Bapak
17 Gold Bandit
16 Mordan
14 Merchant 1
11 Green Bandit
11 Eldak
10 Merchant 4
9 Swift Wing
8 Hikari
8 Red Bandit 2
5 Red Bandit
5 White 2 Bandit
5 Blue Bandit
Merchant 2 leaps up and draws his shortbow, he fires a shot at Green Bandit, driving an arrow in the man's ribs.
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Periyotro mutters some curses at he takes stock of the situation. So, these merchants weren't our attacks after all. Well, I'll be damned if they mess up our assignment. He bobs his head in appreciation when he notices the cover G'Boar is offering him.
The Wayang picks up his loaded crossbow and shoots at the merchant due south of him. He then takes a step to take cover behind the bald merchant. Maybe if one of the merchants goes down, we could use that as an excuse to surrender. After all, they're just innocent bystanders.
Expected Ambush - Round 1 - continued
G'Boar is quickest to react to the twilight ambush. The big man shifts sideways covering the wayang arcanist and fires into the woods, his arrow missing any attacker.
White Bandit attacks the nearest merchant who avoids the blow. The bandit continues around the man, trying to get at his flank.
On the south side, Purple Bandit rushes out of the woods waving his axe wildly. He swings on the surprised Eldak. The axe cuts deeply into the elven wizard for 5 hp damage.
Merchant 3 steps up and swings on the Purple Bandit, trying to draw the attacks away from the injured Eldak, but his attack is parried by the bandit.
As G'Boar steps in front of Bapak, the wayang fires his crossbow to the south, winging one of the bandits who is rushing forward wildly.
Gold Bandit drops his shortbow and rushes into the melee closing on a merchant, but making no attack this round.
Mordan leaps up throwing a chakram at Purple Bandit, but his aim is disturbed by the suddenness of the assault and the thrown missile flies wide of the target.
Trying to avoid being encircled, Merchant 1 steps to his right, and attacks Green Bandit, missing. The bandit counterattacks, but can't seem to connect either.
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"Tskuiyo's ghost!" Hikari exclaims when caught by the surprise attack of the bandits. She then calls out loudly, "Don't let them get the scepter on the wagon!
Hikari then calls upon the blessing of Tsukiyo to protect her and stands up for combat.
Expected Ambush - Round 1 - concluded
Eldak, grievously wounded already, steps back from the attacking bandits and casts Mage Armor covering himself with a protective warding spell to help repel future assaults on this person.
Merchant 4 steps into a flanking position with his ally, and its apparent these merhcants are well-trained as soldiers. He stabs with his longsword trying to catch the bandit from behind.
Hikari stands purposefully calling out the position of the scepter on the wagon, and then calls on a blessing that helps enshroud her from enemies.
Red Bandit 2 is able to get behind Merchant 4, but still manages to miss hurting the capable merchant.
Red Bandit rushes out of the trees to the right of G'Boar, charging in with his axe swinging wildly about. The ferocity catches G'Boar unaware, and the axe gets inside his guard, striking him for 4 hp dmg.
White Bandit 2 chops at Merchant 4 unsuccessfully.
End of Round 1
Expected Ambush - Round 2
22 Merchant 2
22 G'Boar
22 White Bandit
21 Purple Bandit (8hp dmg)
20 Merchant 3
20 Bapak
17 Gold Bandit
16 Mordan
14 Merchant 1
11 Green Bandit (7hp dmg)
11 Eldak
10 Merchant 4
8 Hikari (20% concealed)
8 Red Bandit 2
5 Red Bandit
5 White 2 Bandit
5 Blue Bandit (4hp dmg)
Blue Bandit moves up to join the fight, flanking against Merchant 3 but his axe cannot penetrate the armor of the merchant fighters.
Merchant 2 stabs at Gold Bandit.
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Have we put up a strong enough fight yet? That last blow found its mark... But what of our newfound campmates? What if they win the field and defeat the bandits? Our quest will be over before it began... As G'Boar's inner monologue contemplates future actions, his reflexes cause him to drop his ancient longbow and draw his sword, to repulse the bandit that is upon him.
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Periyotro tries to make out how the fight is progressing, which isn't easy with ambushers from both sides and the merchants interfering.
Well, that's fortunate. It seems we won't have to surrender to let them get away with the scepter. We just have to hold out long enough for them to grab what they want, and then we can chase them off.
Periyotro takes care not to look in the direction of the caravan, and then steps next to the wounded elf. He chants words of fire in a shrill voice and thrusts his bony hands forward, shooting a fan of flame. Hitting the merchant won't matter too much. It might just add to the confusion.
Expected Ambush - Round 2 - continued
G'Boar drops his bow, draws his longsword and is able to land a telling blow against the bandit nearest him.
White Bandit moves into a position where he is flanking two merchants. He chops at Merchant 1 with his handaxe and the blow caroms off the merchant's chain shirt harmlessly.
Purple Bandit makes a flanking attack on Merchant 4 cutting the man from behind. Then stepping sideways in order to avoid a flank attack on himself.
Merchant 3 continues his assault on Purple Bandit stabbing at him with his shortsword, but missing.
Singing out the arcane words in his strange tongue, Bapak fans his fingers and sheets of flame fly from his fingertips. The flames burn both Merchant 3 and Blue Bandit for 1 hp.
Gold Bandit makes a flank attack on Merchant 2 with his axe, striking the occupied fighter in the back of the head.
Mordan leaps into the fray, his double-axe spinning with fury. He lands two mighty blows on Blue Bandit, felling the raider.
Merchant 1 steps backwards to flank White Bandit, thrusting out with his weapon. He scores a hit wounding the ambusher in teh shoulder.
Green Bandit steps up the assault on Merchant 1, but misses.
Expected Ambush - Round 2 - concluded
Merchant 4 tries to skewer one of the bandits. He hits Red Bandit 2 with a killing stroke, dropping the bandit in one fatal stroke.
Hikari, still concealed somewhat, makes an unarmed strike hit against Purple Bandit for a small amount of damage but enough to drop the already wounded foe.
Red Bandit continues to assault G'Boar, looking for a follow up success. He is able to score a hit against the big ranger for 3 hp more dmg.
White Bandit 2 continues to attack Merchant 4, hitting him hard with a grievous wound.
CONFIRM
Expected Ambush - Round 3
22 Merchant 2 (4 hp dmg)
22 G'Boar
22 White Bandit (5hp dmg)
20 Merchant 3 (1hp dmg)
20 Bapak
17 Gold Bandit (5hp dmg)
16 Mordan
14 Merchant 1
11 Green Bandit (7hp dmg)
10 Merchant 4 (11 hp dmg)
8 Hikari (20% concealed)
5 Red Bandit (3hp dmg)
5 White 2 Bandit
Merchant 2 stabs once at the flanked White Bandit, then steps out from between two bad guys himself. His quick attack misses.
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Periyotro quickly glances over his shoulder to check whether the bandits have already taken the scepter from the wagon. If they have, he casts Ghost sound to created the effect of a hunting horn sounding, centered on him to draw attention. He then shouts in his most intimidating voice. "This attack isn't worth it. There's too many people on both sides dying! Just leave while you still can.
Crossbow attack on the gold bandit.
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Expected Ambush - Round 3 - continued
G'Boar sees the raiders making off with the wagonload of goods including the scepter and decides its time to play dead. With a dramatic cry, he falls to the ground feigning a more serious wound than he has taken.
White Bandit attack Merchant 2 from behind, then steps around making to withdraw to the north. The attack is feeble at best and misses completely.
With no more bandits nearby, Merchant 3 looks around and rushes to the aid of his colleagues striking at Gold Bandit.
Expected Ambush - Round 3 - continued
Casting a spell that creates false sounds, Bapak gives the illusion of a much larger force headed this way. The bandits, knowing their goal has been carried out, start to break off the attack. The merchants, not understanding the situation, continue to pursue their foes.
Gold Bandit withdraws from the fight, fleeing out of sight back into the jungle.
Expected Ambush - Round 3 - continued
Mordan's battle rage drops to and he takes a defensive stance, breathing deeply as the adrenalin rush leaves him.
Merchant 1 attacks the Green Bandit, wounding the bandit as he starts to flee. Withdrawing from the fight, Green Bandit disappears into the woods.
Merchant 4 stabs at White Bandit 2 hitting him in the midsection, and nearly dropping him with one stroke.
Neither Hikari's acting or her fist fighting prove to be very good as she misses her attack against the Red Bandit.
Red Bandit also withdraws heading south into the woods, away from the fighting.
White Bandit 2 also disengages fleeing northwards.
End of Round 3
Expected Ambush - Round 4
22 Merchant 2 (4 hp dmg)
22 G'Boar
22 White Bandit (5hp dmg)
20 Merchant 3 (1hp dmg)
20 Bapak
16 Mordan
14 Merchant 1
10 Merchant 4 (11 hp dmg)
8 Hikari (20% concealed)
5 Red Bandit (3hp dmg)
5 White 2 Bandit (8hp dmg)
Merchant 2 stabs at the bandit near him hitting him again with a wound.
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G'Boar will remain motionless, maintaining a prone total defenseive posture, alert to any potential attacks of opportunity coming his way.
-Posted with Wayfinder
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Periyotro loads another bolts in his crossbow and send it flying after one of the fleeing bandits, making sure his aim is bad enough to miss.
He then looks around for the conditions of his companions, looking at G'Boar first. "Hikari, is he... is he dead?"
Now, where is that snake called Waman. Did he flee with the bandits, or is he cowering behind a bush somewhere?
Expected Ambush - Round 4 - concluded
The last of the bandits withdraw, given cursory chase by the merchant/warriors who don't stray too far into the woods in pursuit. As quickly as it began, the melee in the clearing is over.
End of Combat
The leader of the merchants, all of whom have a wound of one type or another, growls "We had them in our hands, and they slipped away again. We did take down a fair number. But the Thakur will not be pleased. We should ride back and report."
The other merchants give him a military salute, which confirms what you might have suspected from their fighting ability. These are more than just mere merchants.
The leader turns to you with a wan smile. "Sorry for the ruse, but we are actually agents of the Thakur charged with peace-keeping in this area. We knew of the bandit problem and their shifty leader Zamir. We hoped to foil their assault, but alas they were too many and too quick. We will root them out one way or another, but for now we must go make our report to our superiors."
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Periyotro makes his way over to the one that seems like the leader, waggling on his little legs as fast as they will take him. He gives the man an indignant stare and pokes at him with one of his slender fingers. "Hey! What do you mean, you? Are you just leaving us here, no? No information? Who are these bandits? Followers of Zamir, you say? Come on, speak up. We fought together. We deserve some answers."
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After the agents depart, G'Boar will end his ruse and say, "Anyone gifted with the healing arts, I'd appreciate a little help here." while getting up. "Is everyone else alright?"
Before anyone can actually come to him and render aid, the Ranger will go to their caravan wagon and look at the tracks and other sign surrounding the lorry to identify if 1) the bait has been taken, and 2) what cardinal direction the bandits fled with it. He will then look around for Waman to see if he survived the contact or if he is still there at all.
The leader of the Thakur's men eyes the strange wayang for a moment. "There is more to your story than mere merchants as well. But for the fact that you all fought bravely against Zamir's men, we might well bring you in for questioning. Zamir's bandits prowl this area, and every caravan is at risk until he is brought to justice. I suggest you return to safety or expect to be attacked again. Much as we might like to stay and track down these bandits, we are ordered to our commander to give report. The gods go with you." And with that the soldiers spur off in a cloud of dust.
At the wagons, it appears the bandits did a fairly thorough job of scavenging your items. Rather than spending time sorting through looking for the truly valuable from the mundane, they simply took everything they could carry with them. In this case, that includes the false scepter.
Most of the bandits ran to the north, but they truly scattered in all directions, so tracking them will be less easy than anticipated. Fortunately, you have the enchanted wayfinder to help you...
Taking out the direction finder which is keyed magically to the scepter, you can see the bandits may have fled to the north, but their primary direction of movement is to the west, into the wilderness of Jalmeray.
Taking up your packs, and bidning your wounds as best you can, you set out to follow the wayfinder's never-erring needle.
After several hours travel through the underbrush and along deer trails, the wayfinder leads you to the base of a rough hill. A game path leads from the jungle to clearing where the hill stands. Stopping at the edge of the jungle, you can see bushes and debris litter the hillside with remains of the outer walls of an ancient stone structure visible above the foliage and reaching a height of about fifteen feet. The shattered stone remains of a taller building are visible inside the walls.
It appears several other buildings once stood in this clearing, but they have long since fallen into ruin.
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Periyotro surveys their surrounding, alongside his companions. He is quite please with the way their assignment has gone so far, especially the way that he handled the 'merchant' leader. We will show him, by beating this Zamir. He'll be astounded by our success, where they have stumbled for months. Pah!
The wayang then points to the top of the walls from their place hidden within the jungle, showing his companions where he can spot at least one person. He whispers "There might be more. Difficult to tell from here, yes? My people are one with the shadow, I can sneak-sneak closer. Are any of you, stealthy enough? I think we can take cover behind those trees and then quickly walk in close to the walls, on the right side of the building."
If at least one person accompanies him, Periyotro will sneak closer. Need someone with me, a big one, to take the hits when fighting breaks out. I'm stealthy, but not stupid."
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G'Boar winks and smiles, the first time since you have made his acquaintance, when Hikari heals him. "Ten thousand thanks, M'Lady... may Tinker, the Great Boar and protector of the wilds, guide and protect you! I hope to repay you as I can."
G'Boar moves effortlessly through the jungle, collecting fruit, nuts and water when he finds it available. When they reach the edge of the hill, he edges up near the group and whispers.
"Ay, I've got some skills in stealth...'Ope were stealthier than them up there are perceptive! Maybe we should wait for the cover o' darkness to gain some advantage?"
The Ranger will confer with Periyotro on the best path, and the others for the best plan, to get closer to the walls without being seen.
As G'Boar and Bapak start to sneak forward, they can see that there appears to be one guard/archer on the wall for each side of the roughly square monastery. The guard watching the northern side, appears to be leaning on his bow, and could possibly be asleep! Either way, the two stealthy Pathfinders are able to advance (half base move speed) towards the wall.
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"For sure I can climb, but a well placed arrow in conjunction with some sort of distraction on the North side might allow for easier access and the reunion of our party."
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The wall, if you can get to it without waking/disturbing the guard, looks fairly easy to scale for a vertical surface. Time has worn handholds in the facing and there are large cracks and vines growing across the walls making the climb that much easier.