Keith watches the interplay between Julius and Thorgrund impassively and when it's over he pipes up, "He was right about one thing we need to get a move on. All this talk of a disguise gives me a notion..."
Keith paces for a moment before explaining, "I've heard of something called a sting. Its where the watch in the big city set a trap for criminals. I think we should pose as merchants, and spread the rumor we are transporting something valuable to and from a remote location. Greed will flush out the Bandit, but instead of finding scared merchants they get us and justice..."
While I have no true skill at acting, I do know the way a poorly guarded merchant caravan would look like. My family would spend endless hours counseling less experienced merchants while at trade stations, only to find the fools sitting in the sand, half dead the next morning with their every possession stolen.
Ashar attempts to assemble some various clothing changes for the group to cover their apparent capabilities but the fashions are quite different here and he quickly gets frustrated and decides to spend the night being the over eager young merchant going around the tavern(s), asking appropriate looking people about the trade routes ahead and of any collectors they know of. Speaking a little too loudly, to drunkenly, and too greedily.
untrained
Ûzorgráng finishes pouting as soon as he's had dinner, and a few pints, and joins the others to take part in the planning for the ambush.
"I feel better now. What does Ûzorgráng need to do to help?"
"Just so long I don't have to wear a silly disguise! I'd rather face a dozen armed bandits on my own than have Shyr giggling at me again!" he muses.
While the cultural distinction between men and women's garb seems a bit arbitrary in these lands Ashar does an excellent job of putting Keith's plan into motion in the evenings at the Thirsty Church. By the time you are ready to head out the next morning you all are confident that rumors of exotic spices and trade goods from the east have begun to spread. The baron has provided you with two carts with barrels, baskets, and chests while they are mostly empty he has added some bolts of fabric, a few sacks of grain, a pole with metal tankards tied to it Clangs nicely does it not?the baron seems pleased. You know the attacks have been taking place on the North road between here and Keep Vigilance the outpost to the north about a week away.
Keith examines the carts, and nods. Seeing the Barons approval, Keith predicts, "Your Grace I expect the Bandit will find these to be a most tempting morsel, they certainly look the part. Greed will be his undoing."
Privately Keith is less sure, thinking 'Unless of course there is a leak. If they don't take the bait that will be most interesting, still lets not invent problems before they happen!'
After the Baron has departed, Keith find Ashar and tells him, "I must say I'm impressed. The taverns are a buzz about a rich merchant train daring the Keep Vigilance run. Good hunting sir, if we catch us some bandits I'll buy you a drink!"
Keith knows he has a way with people but his admiration of Ashar's social skills is completely genuine. Nothing like watching a master at work.
While talking to Ashar, Keith takes a sidelong glance at Julius and Shyr wondering, 'How is this going to go down? They think the worst of me, yet all I want to do is catch some bandits. Bandits who show no compunction at ruining the livelihoods of honest merchants, or even ending them. Well we shall see what happens when it comes to it, something tells me bandits favor overwhelming force, would be bad for the health otherwise. Those two will have to fight, and kill to survive. Will they be glad of me, or are they the only ones allowed to kill?"
Now remember we need to keep our armor covered most of all. Lazy merchants may well carry weapons to make it appear that they can defend themselves but proper armor is rather uncomfortable and is generally declined.
Shyr spends the morning alone in her room praying to Sarenrae, asking for the power to help stop the evil surronding the town, through redemption, and if that cannot work, then unfortuantly through destruction. She joined the others outside to look at the wagon. "I agree with Keith, Ashar. The bandits would have to be half-deaf to have not heard all the talk."
Julius is decidedly preoccupied with his disguise, as he is aware that a badly disguised armor will scream ambush.
As he noticed Ashar frustration with his attempts at crafting a disguise appropriate to these northern lands he ask Keith for help.
"Keith, I am trying to hide my armor, but I need someone to look if it is done well, could you help me?"
"Thanks Keith, this is the better we can get, I think. I hope I will not clank too much. Removing the gauntlets was a good idea."
Keith replies, "Well I can certainly try, perhaps if we took a rock and scuffed up the sides a little? I know it seems a shame but we don't want to look too new! Also Ashar is right, we need to look unarmored. A layer of plain clothes over the top should do wonders."
"Can't we just throw some cloth on top of me? I don't exactly want to go around with no Armor on." Shyr said
Ûzorgráng spends time trying his hand and disguising his armour with old peasants' rags on top. He will also wear a cloak and cowl to try and hide his obvious Half-Orc features.
(untrained)
Well pleased with his efforts: "Ûzorgráng thinks his disguise is good! Even Shyr is not giggling. Much"
After much discourse and assisting each other you all have your disguises in place and are ready to go. You have a bit of trouble with the mules pulling the carts initially, but Julius manages to calm the stubborn beasts and lead his donkey at the head oh the carts to get the train moving north. The road hooks around the outer stockade and west along the riverbank for about a mile putting distance between the bridge and falls. Crossing the bridge brings you back north a pleasant breeze greets you as puffy clouds float across the sky.
Ûzorgráng is keeping alert for any trouble and any tracks that might indicate banditry.
Julius stay on guard to notice a possible ambush but he is distracted by the mules.
Even with the distraction his training show and he is very aware of his surroundings.
To help with the disguise his buckler and morning star are in the backpack while he keep the scimitar at his flank.
Keith watches the safety of the town recede as they venture out into the countryside. To begin with he watches nervously, expecting brigands to jump out of every shadow.
After a while of nothing happening, he pulls out a small book and pretends to read while he ponders, 'Not much I can do but wait, our die has been cast. What happens next is in the bandit's hands... It's one thing to plan our little sting, but it's quite another to actually do it.' He casts a lazy eye over his companions and wonders, 'What will you be like in battle Julius? And Ûzorgráng I've seen that red mist descend, will you know friend from foe? What about Shyr and Ashar they've probably seen as little real fighting as I have. No the only one here who has seen much is Thorgrund and he seems famously taciturn...'
Noticing he'd caught Julius's eye he looks up from the book and remarks, "It's a nice day for it, lets hope the weather holds!"
Shyr sits in the middle of the wagon, whispering prayers as she tried to keep an eye on their surroundings.
Her jittereness keeps her up and paying full attention during the entire ride. She had never been in a real fight before, only practice bouts with the trainers at the monastery and the people of her and other tribes. She had been to embaressed to mention it to the others. When Keith talked Shyr nervously replied. "Yes it defintely is a nice day for it." Whatever "It" is she throught to herself.
"This is kind of boring!" Ûzorgráng thinks. He agrees with Keith's assessment of the weather with an eloquent "Harumpph" and a nod.
He then starts to whisper quietly, in Orc, so as not to break anyone's concentration.
He's actually reciting some very rude Orc limericks. He is definitely bored!
Ashar sits on the wagon counting small coins from a pouch and making marks on a sheet of paper. Each time the wagon hits a rut or hole he loudly curses the poor donkeys pulling it. Each time the insults get more flamboyant.
Speak my friends, tell tales, have arguments. We are simple merchants unprepared for the dark road, not silent sentinels expecting bandits.
He says quietly, once again attempting to sound more worldly than his years would suggest.
"Who has chosen these cursed beasts? I haven't ever seen a more lazy bunch of mules. Only this little donkey is doing its work."
"Muleteers are a loud lot and curse constantly. Too little swearword in that phrase. Remember at least one swear word for each two intelligible words."
"Move blasted beast. @##!"
"It is wise to not appear too alert. I guess I need to say ."
"Gladan sam! Jesmo li stigli? Moj ruksak je pun novčića i to je teška."
"Do you think they will serve wild boar, in mint sauce, when we get there? Or will it be mutton? Again?"
"Wild boar sounds delicious, far too delicious I suspect for the likes of us. No it'll be mutton again...", Keith sighs eloquently. He reaches into his pocket and takes out a strip of Jerky and starts chewing, "Of course we don't even rate mutton right now. Lets hope the trip to Keep Vigilance doesn't take too long or we shall waste away."
The morning passes pleasantly as you pass the outlying farms and homesteads, but by late morning those become less frequent. By midday you feel you have once again reached open countryside. The mountains rise to your east; rolling lightly wooded hills surround you as you travel north.
"These woods look promising." Ûzorgráng says. He makes sure he's near the cart with his arms inside, so he can grab either his guisarme or Lucerne hammer; 12-foot long pole arms couldn't really be disguised. He has a sling bullet in hand to make a quick shot when needed. And keeps his eyes open for trouble.
"Walking with the chain mail under these workman clothes is sweating work. I could win a stink contest against a smelly goat."
Sotto voce to the others:
"Someone has asked the Baron if the attacks were done along the roads or by night against the traders camps?"
"Next time, remember to ask the details before starting the trek, not after half a day of traveling, Jules."
With a stronger voice:
"Ahh, the shadow of the trees will be so pleasant after all this sun. Maybe we should stop at the first creek we find to eat our lunch?"
Keith had ostensibly kept his head buried in a book all day, although in truth, he was semi-nervously watching the surroundings as he bounced along on the cart. Hearing Julius's mention of lunch he spoke up to say "That sounds like a capital idea, Julius. Although we shouldn't tarry too long, tempting as the fair weather may be."
Ûzorgráng concurs: "Good idea! I'm Hungry!"
He then scowls slightly and ponders: "Come out, come out where ever you are, bandits! Easy targets are here again!"
"I have no problems with it. Let us go and eat!" Shyr said.
You find a nice spot to stop for lunch and water the animals. Afterwards you continue north the rest of the day as the sun begins to set you crest a hill that seems to have a regularly used campsite. A few logs around a fire pit to sit, a supply of wood, and the same stream you watered the animals at lunch is just down the side of the hill. You have about an hour of fading light left if you wish to push on. You may be able to find a farm or cottage where you might ask for hospitality.
Speaking quietly, in case there are prying ears and eyes around Ûzorgráng says:"Perhaps we should camp here for the night? It's higher ground. Easier to defend. We can have a fire going: only Thorogrund and I can see in the dark if there is trouble. We would need to have a watch of two, in shifts, all night."
Replying in the same quiet tone.
"It seem a good idea. With the excuse of gathering wood Thorgrund and I could go around and check for footprints. I am not an expert in their interpretation but usually I can spot them."
With a louder but still normal voice:
"Thorgrund, you want to gather some wood with me? We need some smaller piece of wood and it is good education to leave the wood for the next group."
Ûzorgráng nods in agreement with Julius. But stays a bit closer to the camp. Trying to keep himself about half way between Julius & Thorgrund and the camp, so he can respond quickly to either.
He will gather up kindling for starting a fire. Like Julius he will also look for tracks and try to spot where they might lead:.
You both see that this is a well used campsite. There is a worn trail for leading animals down to the stream. The hill is lightly wooded casting dappled shadows along it's length. Birdsong can be heard along with the water flowing by at the base of the hill.
With a louder but still normal voice:
"Thorgrund, you want to gather some wood with me? We need some smaller piece of wood and it is good education to leave the wood for the next group."
"Oh...um...yes, good idea Julius..." says Thorgrund. As the pair heads out, Thorgrund scans for any tracks that may seem out of place.
Keith muses, "So this is a well used campsite is it? I guess that makes sense it given where it is... I wonder if there are any discernible tracks that don't end up at the road? Still it's mostly an academic question since we can hardly leave the wagons."
"We could leave the wagons Keith. Of course, only on the condition that you be the one to explain things to the Baron." Shyr said teasingly. For sme reason she had felt a bit uneasy about Keith, despite her giving any reason for it. Ashar made her feel the same way though, so it didn't mean she had reason to distrust him.
"I shall stay near the wagons for now." says Ûzorgráng.
He then turns to Shry and Keith and whispers "Mostly because I can see in the dark if there are any problems. This looks like a good place for bandits to visit at night."
He will then scour the grounds as if searching for small kindling, but actually be looking for tell-tale debris from previous battles: expensive pottery shards, arrow heads, discarded valuables that may have been trod upon in a panicked escape, etcetera, etcetera.
You all go about the business of preparing for the night. The sun descends into twilight as it dips into the horizon as you all begin to make camp. How do you all chose to set up your camp?
Keith frowns at the setting sun and sighs, "Looks like we get to make camp here, I'd hoped we'd have made better progress but no matter. This is bandit country, we should take some precautions. We can't know if the Bandit is truly out there, but if he's half the greedy coward I believe him to be, he'll prefer to attack in the dead of night when all sensible folk are abed."
Keith smiles at Ûzorgráng and Thorgrund, "Of course we have a secret weapon. Some of us can see in the dark. Might I suggest we make use of them for the darkest hours of night? We can use torches for the other watches but, feign indiscipline and let them gutter out?"
Ûzorgráng likes that idea. "It will let me have my Guisarme ready for extra reach in the dark, and I will be able to use my sling too. They might not expect either of those things."
"Good idea Keith. And we can set up 3 two men watches, with one of us that will feign to be asleep. ... I hope he will feign that."
Looking the group.
"Ûzorgráng and Thorgrund are good fighters and see in the dark, so they should be in different watches. I think that one of them should get the middle of the night turn and the other the last watch.
Keith, your magic is potent but you are probably the one the is easier to bring down in melee. And you need a good night of sleep to prepare your spells. With Ashar, I think.
Ashar, you too need a good night of rest to recover your spells, right?
That would leave Shyr and me as the second person for the middle and late night turns. What you prefer?"
Splendid! I always prefer the twilight watch. Of course we won't see the beauty of the sands as the sun fades, but I am sure we will be treated to a new spectacle as we enter the foothills.
Keith seems unperturbed by Julius's organizing the watches, somebody had to. Still there was more to it than just that, as Keith told them, "We should place the fire between each wagon, leave their brakes on and have the horses hobbled and unhitched. Makes it harder for anyone to just ride the wagons away, or scare the horses off. Also protects the fire in case of winds."
Keith pauses and then adds, "The hard thing will be keeping discipline up. They may not come tonight, they may not come tomorrow, it may be next week or even next month. This is a waiting game, we need to be patient. Game of cards anyone?"
Ûzorgráng will go along with whatever watch Julius organizes.