"Darn it, Tey, at least let me help you out here!" Antha mutters crossly to herself, following after him.
Even as the paladin attacks one of the bandits, Antha begins casting a spell behind him.
Charge, Flank with Tad: 1d20 + 7 + 2 ⇒ (7) + 7 + 2 = 16
Damage: 2d6 + 6 ⇒ (3, 2) + 6 = 11
Thad turns suddenly and uppercuts the bandit that has been chasing him this entire time, lifting him off his feet and sending him into unconsciousness.
Morley manages to take down one of the bandits, but alert the entire forest of your presence and position. While Teyran cuts down another one bandit. Grendolynn engages another one, but the bandit manages to stay off the pointy end of her spear.
Arasmes manages to wound the non-engaged bandit with a crossbow bolt but doesn't kill him.
The boom from Morley's musket however is sure to draw the attention of the other bandits...
You hear an explosion from off to the left of the bandit camp behind you. The bandits chasing you pull up in confusion and began to head that way.
Arasmes loads his crossbow and fires off another shot which goes wide.
Valeska pulls the bow and releases the arrow which flies at the bandit that was wounded by Arasmes but is still not engaged in close combat. Unaware of the arrow as it tumbles through the air and strikes home through his leather armor and drops him from the fight.
The last bandit engaged by Grendolynn noticing the sudden lost of his companions loses his courage and drops his weapon before throwing himself to his knees. Grendolynn almost gives a bestial growl and for a moment you think she will run him through as she did the last bandit that surrendered but she manages to flip the spear and send the bandit into unconsciousness with the end of it.
Teyran looked around for another bandit to subdue. When he didn't see any, he allowed himself a moment's relaxation.
"The others will likely respond to the gunshot soon enough, so any defensive measures we can prepare will likely be a good idea. What happened? I recall nothing in the plan about a woman's scream."
"Looked like some elf-lass was gettin' frisked by tha lot 'o' em. I figgered they was less likely ta chase me if'n they had more...
toothsome sport right in front o' em so I made a ruckus first. She took a runner when I made meself known. Sounded like Kresstle & most o' the others went a'ter 'er." Pondering for a moment, "Ya know...
It's kind o' a good thing Morley made tha fuss 'e did wi' that boom-stick o' 'is. It should bring at least a few more o' them ta investigate." Cogitating further, "Mebbe we should make ourselves scarce 'fore they get 'ere though..."
"Damn." she curses to herself. The attack came faster than she had expected and cut way too deep. Still, it was not over, and she could not simply forgive and forget. With eyes filled with dark purpose, LoTae takes a slow deep breath as she readies her composite shortbow. She grabs an arrow from her quiver... an elven arrow often used to hunt large game... a thistle arrow, and nocks it.
She carefully scans the foliage around her, hoping to spot the one that cut her. He is in dire need of bleeding.
Antha finishes casting her spell, releasing its energies on Teyran.
Teyran didn't realize a spell was being cast until he felt it affecting him. He watched as his arms grew longer, and as he grew taller. He smiled at Antha, "Thank you lady, this should be most helpful."
Antha hurriedly sketches a curtsy, "You're welcome. Now, let's deal with these louts!"
"Ow long's 'at bit o' glamour gon' last?" Tad asks, eyeing the now significantly larger Teyran. "Yer didn't stick 'im like that permanent did yer?"
The bandits were easily to follow towards the source of the loud explosion as they ran about the forest near the camp. They were obviously familiar with the area as they moved quickly. You hear shouts of surprise and a slight bit of fear ahead of you.
Bandits come flooding into the area as Teyran begins to grow and they pull up short in surprise and a bit of fear. Two of them choose to flee leaving two tough looking women and four other bandits. "Bastards. An Ambush?" One of the women shout the question to the other one who looks at the enlarged Teyran and the others, she bites off a retort then throws her weapons to the ground.
"They already killed our number over, and these are likely the one with the Rostlandic noble up in the Keep. I am not looking to die for that bastard, Dovan. I suggest you do the same sister, and the lot of you as well."
Two more of the bandits seeing their leader surrender follow the example of their comrades and attempt to flee into the forest. The other woman backs away and turns to flee the way she came. "I always knew you were a coward, sister. The new Stag Lord will crush the Rostlander, and I will be there to help!"
The last two bandits throw their weapons down in surrender.
" I call that rude, leavin' just when yer dance partner's gettin' excited! At least take a turn 'r two around tha floor wi' me!" Tad calls out as he runs after the fleeing Bandit woman.
"Tad wait! We have unsecured prisoners!" Teyran announced, hoping that his companion would see reason. He took a step toward the people that surrendered and announced authoritatively Move away from the weapons and kneel with your hands up." He hoped someone in the group would come through with enough rope to bind them, he felt foolish not thinking of it himself, and didn't want to announce it to everyone present. The groups tactics would have to be changed, only three surrendered out of eight, and surely the other five would cause trouble in the future. It was just like at the keep.
Dammit, he's right. I just never figured we would have runners...
Tad slows to a stop, finally turning & jogging back. "Yah heard the big shiny guy!"
"Which one o' ya's Kressle?"
"It will only last a minute, Teyran, so make the best of it while you can; it may be best if you use the extra strength to tie them up while you have it," says Antha in answer to Tad but directed to the paladin.
Valeska watches as the others speak. She helps where she can.
Morley - who had just jogged up, starts to reach for his rope, but realizes... "Left my gear with the horses. Catching these scramblin bandits has been like pickin up apple seeds with one finger. Was expecting to fight... not watch em fly off like spooked starlings."
He shrugs and smirks pointing to the bandits present with his musket... hoping a wink is unnecessary "Roll em up like sausages in their tents and drag em back?"
Grendolynn grumbles, "Cowards the lot of them. Just living off those weaker. They don't deserve to live when they spilled innocent blood." Now she was in a growl as she gripped her spear as moment then turned to walk away.
Kressle steps back from her axes, and kneels as she speaks... "I am surprised to find out that agents of the Swordlords know me, but I am Kressle."
"Is anyone in need of some healing?" Arasmes asks. "Say, Tad. You had mentioned something about an elfin woman. Perhaps someone should be sure she is well."
"I wou'n't say so much 'Agents'..." Grinning what might be the evilest grin any of you have yet seen on his face, Tad clarifies.
"Feller by tha name o' Happs thought enou' o' a dance 'n yer sheets ta be worth playin' tha bully-boy 'gainst me mates 'n' I...
I was jest curious what kind o' woman was enou' ta put kind o' edge on a feller's blade."
"Specially one who'd already run from one sech relationship..."
"O' course driven from might've been a better description to that." Tad muses as he shoots Grendolyn a glance of mild annoyance.
"Not certain body found out these ways might be considered an innocent Gren..."
"I say tha more I learn 'bout these parts tha more I see why they ain't seen what some folks'd call 'Law & Order' in...
Ever,
though."
Nodding at Arasmes' comment, Tad turns to Teyran. "'Mission ta go looky-lou fer tha 'Iepure' lama Fata?" His expression turns impish & he glances quickly & curiously at Antha as he says this.
'Rabbit' being a rather pejorative Varisian term for Elf in reference to their long pointed ears & solid eyes.
Also their tendency to effectively disappear into woods & other greenery.
Teyran took advantage of the strength gained by his extra height as he tied the prisoners arms behind their backs. as he did so, he spoke to them, in a surprisingly friendly manner. Perhaps it was that he felt that a certain amount of respect should be shown to those smart enough to surrender. "Those who fled, is there anywhere they would run to? Will they reinforce the Stag Lord, or simply fade into the woods, not to be seen again? And what of the scream I heard, where is the woman that made it?"
Then there was the moment that Tad asked him a question, the lack of understanding was clear. "Look for the. . .what? Eh, you know what you're doing, go ahead."
The shouts turn into fleeing feet streaming in different directions. One of the bandit women that seemed in charge flees passed you. You don't see your attacker as he must have been caught in the ambush ahead.
Grendolynn just grunts and drops her backpack before she can get to far away. She throws the rope to Teyran. "I will keep watch." She straps her backpack on again and moves into the woods.
Kressle shrugs, "My sister will likely flee to the Stag Fort on the Tuskwater, but the rest are gutless they will likely flee as far as they can go without looking back until they starve themselves, find a lonely farm to terrorize, or find themselves in with other bandits elsewhere... maybe all three."
Nodding & Grinning once more at Teyran's tacit agreement, Tad turns once more in the direction the Bandits came from.
Antha returns Thad's glance quizzically, not knowing in which language he'd spoken.
"Stag Fort? I think that's the first I've heard of such a place," Antha observes, leaving the question open for her companions to speak of any such knowledge.
Valeska had been busying herself with whatever chores were required. The plan worked, that's all that mattered.
Does it matter what they call it? It's just a fortified bandit hideout... And, we just need to take it.
Once cleared, it would make a great outpost from which to journey forth.
"I'd assume, m'lady, this Stag Fort is where the Stag Lord lays his weary head at night. Right now I'm just hopin they don't call him the Stag Lord 'cos he runs away faster than the other bandits." Morley reloads his musket, and mutters something about everyone trading their weapons for nets next time.
"I'd say we got a tight grip on the reins here. Think I'll hoof it back to retrieve our mounts. If I run into any trouble, you'll be hearin from old Embermaw." He shoulders his musket, and turns to go.
Morley retrieves the horses while Grendolynn keeps watch. The bandits that surrendered remain silent as they watch you, offering up no additional information unless asked. Thad is quick to follow the bandits into the forest, but loses Kressle's sister who is fairly adapted at moving through the area. The other ones are easy to follow as they cut a path through the forest as they flee, but they are moving fast as if hell was on their heels.
With her bow ready and her thistle arrow still nocked, LoTae slowly makes her way ahead, using the fresh trail of prints and the memory of the explosive sound and mixed shouts as her guide.
Thadeuzs does not have to go far to find the elf who is moving with purpose and caution through the shadows of the forest towards the ambush site. She has a determined look on her slender elven face and her bow is held low with an arrow nocked.
Schooling his features to be as benign & placating as possible, Tad holds out his open hands to show he is unarmed. "Ey there...
Yer looks tae be a wee mite lost, don't yer?"
"Seein's there's safety in numbers & all that lot...
Yer want ta come back wi' me?"
Upon seeing the human emerge before her, her eyes flare with a mix of shock and disgust. Her bow and nocked arrow rise slightly, aiming at the man's knee. Threatening, but not life threatening... yet.
"Sedanea... more humans." Despite her fine features and naturally silky voice, the disgust and disappointment in her tone is... prominent. Her common is slow and deliberate. "After what I just experienced, you'll understand my reluctance to leap at your offer."
She sniffs in disdain, and forces out her next words.
"I've come to find human civilization. Instead I find barbarism. Now, I hunt. Are you bandit, or another wandering soul? Speak!"
At mention of the word hunt, the rough man swallows reflexively; less in the manner of one intimidated & more as one whose mouth is suddenly flooded with saliva. Rolling his eyes & muttering something under his breath in a language you are unfamiliar with, he continues. "Well...
If it's civilization yer afor...
Yer a bit out o' bounds,
but there's more o' yer 'Iepure' back wi' me an' yer want ta talk wi' one o' yer own."
"'m sure she'd like another o' 'er own ta talk wi'."
Her eyes show that she obviously does not trust this human. She does not lower her bow, nor does she relax her stance... a stance of someone on the prowl.
"Lead. I will see this with my own eyes."
The speed with which his expression flows from wary placation to wry, sardonic, bonhomie implies a far greater comfort with the latter than the former. Nodding, he turns back the way from which he came & waves for you to follow. "Y'kin call me Tad...
all tha others do."
The elf woman lets this strange human "Tad" take several steps before she begins to very cautiously follow. She maintains her hunting stance and readied bow, keeping a keen eye out for traps... and prey.
Thadeuzs returns to the group followed by an female elf that keeps her eyes moving about as if suspicious of something. She has a readied bow, and seems to be following Thadeuzs with great caution and calm. She has a large gash on her forearm that is still dripping blood.
"Oi! This 'ere's...
Oh yea,
Whot's yer name agin?" He turns back to the Elf woman inquiringly.