Reclaiming the Lordless Lands.

Game Master P33J

Brok stabilizes the leader.

Oleg helps grimjaw with the rope.

"You won't hang them all will you?" Svetlana implores. "What of those who repent?"

Charter

"The charter does specify unrepentant banditry," Ponderosa says. "Some of these men I don't doubt are far from repenting, but if some do then it would do ill to execute them. However, we don't have the time with the possible attack coming nor the resources to keep them prisoner long. I will follow what you all think is best but say that we should interrogate them first before deciding on their fate."

Did we get the bandit stuck with arrows from outside by the way?

"The question becomes whether we can trust any claims of repentance. I do not have the skill to determine truth from lie, so if one of you does, I'll follow that lead."

"In any case, I think repentance would have to be proved with useful information. Interrogation does seem our first order of business."

Bandit outside is dead dead.

"I'll do clean up... his voice trailing off as he moves to gather the dead and attempts to clean the mess up.

He knows where his skills are and this is something he has no qualms in.

"What about enhanced interrogation techniques?"

"I dislike it, but it's best used on the unrepentant and if information is something they won't part with. Hopefully it won't come to that."

I don't think any of us have a decent sense motive score. Heeeey, NPCs, you any better?

Ponderosa turns to their hosts. "Would any of you be able to help in this matter? It would good to be done with this quickly so we have more time to prepare."

"I only know one thing to do with these bandits," Oleg says, tying a not in a rope.

Svetlana solemnly shakes her head, "I'm sorry I don't have any experience in these matters, though I dislike violence if avoidable."

One of the Bandits speaks up.

"If you promise not to kill me and me mate, and grant us safe passage away from here, I will tell you were Kestrel's lair is."

Grimjaw glances at Svetlana and sighs.
"It's hard fer me t'show mercy to bandits, but..."
He sigh again, and rumbles, "If they tell us where this Kestrel is, and what forces we'd be expectin' t'see, 'n I'm fer sendin' them two out of here - never t'show their faces anywhere in a thirty day walk from here.
'course, that's if all th'rest of you think the same."

"I think that would be an acceptable compromise," Ser Nikolai responds. "But what of him?" he says as he kicks the limp, but breathing Happs (leader).

"Let da bastahd rot fer all we care," The bandit replied. "He's Kestrel's pet and would cut our throats if he thought it 'elp 'im get in 'er pants."

"Well I guess Its decided then. However I do think we should put one at the front and one a the back"

Ponderosa shrugs. "Good enough."

"On with it then, we have no idea how long before anyone start missing these low lifes."

"Kestrel won't miss us for least four days. Even then she knows she won't have da numbers ta assault Oleg's if he 'ad enough men to take on da seven of us," The thug replies. "She's only got another six men with her at da camp in da woods, and while she's violent and vicious, she's ain't stupid."

He then proceeds to draw you a crude map in the dirt. His comrade mentions the two look out posts on the edges of the camp and the snitch marks their location.

"Sumbody's always on watch. Kestrel makes sure of it. Woe be ta those who sleep on Kestrel's watch. Theys probably better armed than us. Some scale mail, mebbe a solid wood shield. But Kestrel, she's not one fer defense, you be watchin' those axes of hers er she'll take yer 'ead off."

Based on the map, with a DC 15 Survival Check, you're fairly certain you could arrive at Kestrel's camp in a day, if you left in the morning.

Sense Motive: 1d20 + 1 ⇒ (3) + 1 = 4

"You here that guys? How do you want to do this. One day to get ready and then we leave or do we leave in the morning?"

Survival: 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (6) + 5 = 11

"We've four days so a single one to get ready would not be amiss."

"I agree, a day to get ready. We string up this Happs now, and these two stay trussed up until we can get back from our assault, then they go free."

"Wait!" Brok interjects before turning to the bandits.

"Tell me your watch patterns and positions, best if you can give me a layout of the camp." he asks.

"Are you sure we shouldn't bring them with?"

"They could give us away." Brok points out.

"The deal was we left for info into Kestrel's camp. We aren't going to be your human shields against her. We'll have before that." The bandit responds to suggestions of taking them with you. "In terms of watch, depends. Kestrel don't want nobody sleeping on watch, so she tells ya to tap out when you're tired."

"I for one have no intentions of that, however we could do with yourselves drawing us a map of your camp, the sentries outpost and the ways in."

"The camps just a clearing in the woods. There's a deep creek that runs through the middle of the clearing, providing Kestrel a natural fortification. She's got a tree stand on the western clearing and then another tree stand in the lone tree in the middle of the clearing. There's a clearing to the east as well that provides a second entry point."

He proceeds to draw you a map of the site.

"Not sure which way in would be best." Ponderosa shrugs. "I'm no tactician."

Can we see the map he draws?

Brok studies the map.
"Hmmm a natural fortification you say.....This could mean that our foe knows the lay of this land very well. Furthermore approach would be difficult if guards are posted. A quick strike in stealth would be good."

I'll give you guys the map here in a few hours. My apologies, I got caught by that Chicago blizzard and I apologize its been a few days since I posted.

"Stealth would be best. I agree we should strike like a viper in the night."

Sorry I was going to post that map, but we had a minor work emergency. After church today.

No problem

MAP of Camp

[b]"I suggest we take a the two look outs at K3 and K5 simultaneously. Then we move up stream and swim down the river and take K4.

"We'd no doubt be seen and they'd be warned. I suggest coming from the east and taking K1 immediately, which I am assuming to be where Kestrel is, then take care of the lookouts at our leisure. Instead of having to assault K1 when they are prepared, it would become to our advantage."

From the description, I believe the lookouts are at K2 and K3, not K5 and K3

"I agree with Ponderosa, though I'd suggest we come in from the northeast, as it seems to be well screened from both lookout points. We can engage Kestrel immediately, and take care of the others as the opportunity arises."

"If he is so inclined, I believe it may be worthwhile to let the western lookout escape...assuming we succeed, it might be good to have someone spread the word that banditry is no longer a safe occupation here."

"But if we head for K1 immediately we will be encountering the bulk of their force and we will be greatly outnumbered as the lookouts come to investigate the commotion."

"The thing is this. How many of us can see in the dark?" Brok asks.

"I for one have a rather unique heritage that allows me better vision at night though I have a poorer one in the day. Also keep in mind that we'll have to sneak in through the undergrowth and I'm not exactly skilled in that aspect."

"I expect light is a wash either way. If we can't see, I expect the majority of the bandits can't either. If needed, I can give us a light source that we cover beforehand."

"Sneaking through the underbrush is more problematic, and may make the approach impractical. Either way, it matters not to me. If you all wish to strike center, I will prepare for that. If you wish to strike one of the lookouts first, I will prepare for that. Light or not, I think night is a better option than day, as it will at least cut down on any advantage their archers may have."

"Either way we have to go to sneak through the underbrush, or we'll be out numbered. If we do it my way atleast they won't have the highground aswell"

Ponderosa shrugs. "Then we might as well do it your way."

Brok shrugs.

"It sounds a plan as good as any. Shall we?"

"We'll try it and see how it goes."

"Come to think of it, we should inventory the gear we have from this first set of bandits, in case there is something of use."

"Agreed"

I'll update and post tonight :D

Brok nods and heads out to begin sorting out the bandit's equipment.

Sorry there was a minor family emergency. Nothing too serious, but it had my attention this weekend. Will post after Church today

So I was sicker than I first imagined, but I'm better now. Lets roll

You sleep and look over the map. It seems to be a few days ride. Sir Nikolai reminds you of the charter, and that since it will be on your way it wouldn't hurt to survey the surrounding area as you approach.

Oleg provides you with enough rations to last a week and informs you of a message he's sent north, informing his trade partners that his outpost is once again open for business. He hopes a caravan will have arrived by the time you return.

[big]MAP[/big]

The hex marked with a K is the approximate location of Kestrel's camp. It will take a day to ride straight through a hex, 1/2 if your push (meaning you all have to make CON saves 10+Days you've pushed or be fatigued), it will take 2 days to explore a hex to make a map entry. 1 Day with a DC 25 survival check (it can be aided).

Where do you guys want to go?

"I say we head straight through the woods up river and sneak back down river and ambush them."

"Remember we've only four days."

I suggest exploring 12 (unless it requires three days to go through and explore the hex) and then heading to camp.