"If'n it we've a bigger problem 'en we thought mate."
Akiros nodded, "If you routed them from the Keep then whoever had the will to continue to fight would have eventually returned to that camp. It is closer then the fortress. If they were bolstered by numbers from the Keep then I don't know how many would be there."
"Well... that is a poser. We keep strollin around their camp kickin over toadstools, we might run into em while we're busy lickin our wounds from another scrap. Might add, unless we're gettin a retinue from Swordlord Squarechin or Grendolyn's plannin on learnin to breath fire, we stand no better chance later than now. On the other hand..." He shrugs, apparently not interested in continuing his thought. "Finish off the berries and shaggy inkcap first. They don't travel well"
"'At's my thinkin'. Noo's better'n' later, I say."
Fortress?
"Akiros. How well do you know of this camp, its layout and watch habits?"
At Valeska's query, "Member? 'Apps said tha big guy 'ad a right proper Club 'ouse 'e' did."
"Believe I heard fort before... those four letters tacked on the end do make it a pantload more foreboding. Less somethin one mighta thrown together with childhood chums, and more somethin we'll needta lay siege to." Morley wipes his brow with his tabard, noticing just now he is running out of clean spots. "Think I'll just put that outta my mind as long as I'm able."
"Well, rather than ring our hands over whether this location consists of a circle of tents around a fire or if it also includes a palisade, perhaps we should see for ourselves? Making decisions based on incomplete information is as sure a route to ruin as any I've seen, so the more we avoid that the happier I'll be." Teyran wondered if his perception was correct, that the use of the word 'fort' meant that the others were expecting to find a stone structure built to resist armies. Teyran found the prospect unlikely in the extreme. The belligerent individualism that Teyran had been led to believe pervaded the River Kingdoms did not imply much in the way of long term construction techniques. The method of rule by the strongest he'd seen here didn't suggest much more. A man could be coerced into building something sturdy and strong, but without a more benevolent motivation than fear, he would certainly not care about longevity.
"So, have we committed ourselves to razing this bandit camp, or are we to investigate it on our path to something else?"
"Sounds like we either deal wi' it, 'r' go 'round. They know tha ground better than we do. I say deal wi' it now, on 'r' terms, not theirs."
"Much like Master Garess is doing at that border keep, is what we did when we first came here with a derelict keep we had found on the Tuskwater. It is sturdy to hold out for some time against a siege, and with access to the rivers then it would be a longer one wait, but we didn't have engineers to design and construct it. We just repaired what was already in place so it probably isn't as strong as it could be. I do not know the camp well enough to give you significant details about the layout or patrols, but it is just a circle of tents, a couple tree stands for spotters, and a cart that they use for their dirty work."
"Lets take care of them first. They are a threat to Oleg's which is our home base. The mites are just a way of making allies with the forest critters. I can sneak up to the camp at night and a get a good idea of the layout. I'll come back and report, then we can attack at dawn after making a battle plan." Grendolynn suggests as she looks at Valeska.
Valeska is mildly surprised, it is difficult to say by what.
Hobgoblins aren't the only one who can see in the dark, Grendolynn... Orcs, mixed-bloods and gods know what else. I say we go together, just before dawn... They're more likely to have dozed off, sleeping off a night of debauchery.
I'm not saying you can't scout ahead alone, but I can back you up from a distance with Teyran's bow, Tad and Morley can be close by and the others a little bit behind us.
If they are the larger force, then divide and conquer. Easy-peasy.
"Another point to consider as well is that the bandit issue is our primary focus at this time. As we'd planned on traveling directly past this camp, it is natural that we take this camp to better secure the area for ourselves."
"Okay, we're to the point of repeating each other now. Anyone else can follow me as they like, long as they can stay quiet enough to not blow my cover. In the meantime we gotta ride there first." Grendolynn mounts up, "Lets roll people. Time's a wastin'."
Teyran, may I hold onto this for a bit? Valeska indicates the bow.
"Keep it if you wish, you've already gotten more use out of it than I." Teyran said with a smile. "I may aquire a sling or crossbow when the chance arises."
Thank you. A trade for now then.. Valeska offers her light crossbow and quiver.
The party sets off when the first rays of sunlight peirce the forest canopy. The Narlmarches provide cover as you explore for the bandit camp. You start to see noticable signs of people having lived in the area for sometime as you get closer to the camp. They have not had to worry about outsiders bothering them so they have not taken the time to hide their location. With the sun still high in the sky then you have to decide whether to attempt the camp now or wait to get some information about their routine.
"Now that we've found them I should go take a look at their camp once its dark."
Morley dismounts and stretches. "Sounds good. Find us a nice rally point outta sight of their spotters." He backtracks a few dozen feet, and finds a tree suitable to lash his horse.
Heading back to the group... "While we are here, look around. Find memorable landmarks. Things go squirrely you might find yourself without someone to guide you back to the horses."
Tad strings his bow as he makes note of significant features.
Grendolynn waits for dark and then stealthily approaches the camp, circling it from a distance of sixty feet and taking note of everything she can see.
Antha stays with the horses and the rest of the non-scouts, poring over her spellbook to try and decide which of her available spells will best help the group if and when they assault the bandit camp.
Teyran mulled over plans of attack while Grendolynn was gone. He briefly considered an attack from both sides, but he feared their numbers were too few. He also had an idea about striking and retreating, but then what would they do when the bandits joined together? He decided it best to not worry about such things until he had more information. In effect, it meant that he paced a fair amount, with near continuous glances toward the camp, waiting for Grendolynn to return.
You make your silence approach towards the bandit encampment and get a good look at the place. The encampment is relatively large, and well defended by a number of just barely hidden platforms placed in the trees, if Grendolynn hadn't been taking the time to look she may have missed them and their occupants that are on over-watch. The camp itself is about sixty feet from a river bank and the bandits have created a semi-permanent campsite by cutting themselves a small clearing. They seem to be using trunks and logs to serve as chairs, all centered about a stone-lined campfire. A number of folded tents are scattered about the clearing.
Other then the watch-posts and clearing itself, the only other thing of note is a set of logs that can be rolled onto a cleared forest path to create an obstruct or cover for the bandits attacks from the direction of the river or trading post. There is also an old, broken-down wagon sitting off to the side of the encampment near one of the west watch-post.
You count five watch-posts, and several more bandits moving about the camp. Almost a dozen bandits in total at this point and they seem on high alert, though you notice the bandits in the watch-post are being pretty lazy about their watch. You are convinced that you had gotten away free and clear without being seen when one of the bandits points towards the forest.
"Did anyone else see that?" Another bandit jumps up, "I saw something. It was green, and I think humanoid. Kressle!" He shouts towards one of the tents.
It has been several days since you got into the Narlmarches and have been making good time north towards Brevoy when you started to come upon the signs of a long-standing human settlement (refuse, trash, dead animals, marred trees) and it would have been shocking if you hadn't heard stories about the disrespect some humans had for the forest beforehand.
With no information about your family, and still following the mission from the Queen then it made sense to stop to see if you could gather information about them, get an idea how far from Brevoy you had come, and supplies for the rest of the journey.
You had just crossed the river that cut through the Narlmarches onto an obvious path which had been cut to the settlement when a warning shout had went out from above. Four menacing humans moved out of the trees around the path to block your way. They were smelled of human filth, were gnarly looking with dirty clothing, and poorly-kept equipment.
Three of the four had readied weapons while the other addressed you. "Hey now, what doin we have here? You lookin like one of them purdy fancy elfin girls from them stories." The man said in an excitably crude way.
"Ugh, I... I assure you, I am no story. LoTae cannot help but express her distaste for these four "men" with the wrinkling of her nose and slight sneer of her upper lip.
She tries to swallow her ire, removing the awkward sneer. "Your weapons are not necessary. I simply seek Brevoy. I am tasked to act as envoy, and find any forlorn along the way. I take it from your reaction that you have not seen any other elves in these parts..." LoTae is visably disapointed by this, but continues, "would I happen to be close to Brevoy?"
Despite her naive question, her hands cannot help but shift slightly towards her sheathed blade. Kilij has always been a comfort to her, and now - with four ugly stinking humans before her, three with weapons already in hand - comfort is something she desperately desires.
Valeska sheathes her blade after some time practicing. Her most recent sequence; a swift draw, advancing and thrusting at an imaginary foe.
Walking up to the tightest grouping of group members. So, why is it you folks mostly speak in or of the negative? It's mildly annoying, truth be told. But, on the bright side... it might be better that this silence.
The young woman finds a rock, places her foot on it and leans forward resting an elbow upon her knee.
Grendolynn ignores the cry, not breaking her stealth and moving back to the group as rapidly as possible.
"I'll up the ante on annoying with 'Hope for the best, prepare for the worst'... Sure you heard that before, eh?" He gives Valeska his best "half in jest" look as he is busy with his new whittling knife... clearly in his first few hours of trying to teach himself.
Teyran offered a bitter chuckle in answer to Valeska's question. "Perhaps I am not the only one in this group that doesn't expect to live to see our success. If so, it is a fairly distressing thought."
Valeska offers Morley a quizzical glance. One of us has it backwards, I think. 'Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
She then looks over to Teyran. What to say to such a man?
At Valeska's query & comments Tad merely raises an eyebrow as if to say 'You are somehow surprised by this?'
No sir, you don't not to survive this, you not to survive this.
Not at all certain what, if anything, I can do about that...
"Well these folk have already shown their mettle back at Oleg's. With this lot, I think we go out there with loud voices... banging pots and pans half'll turn tail and run." Morley throws down the fat stick he'd been trying to whittle, and looks into the woods. "I just wish Miss green spitfire'd get back... guessin she'd know a good soft wood fit for carvin." He wipes his palms on his thighs, and folds his arms to hide his shaking hands.
Grendolynn returns to the group. "About a dozen of the bastards. A couple of them up in trees. I think one spotted me as I was leaving, but I didn't stick around to find out. They've cut a small clearing, with a fire and a tent. They've got a wagon as well." she reports. "With so many of them, our best bet is probably divide and conquer. Send in someone as bait to draw a few of them into a trap. Then return to the camp and take care of the rest before they figure out what's going on."
"Back at tha fort they was on uncertain groun' an' we 'ad obvious force ta back oor play."
"'Ere 'tis their 'ome an' got tha advantage o' numbers. I doubt this will go so smooth as last time."
Upon further consideration, "I like miz Grendolynn's idea o' tha drawin' 'em oot ta thin their numbers."
Looking expectantly at her & Valeska, "Well?"
"Was Valeska's idea not mine. I'm just repeating it."
At Grendolynn's re-direction Tad turns his full attention to Valeska. "Well, miz 'Easy-Peasy'. Your idea, your suggestions for 'ow ta implement it?"
Valeska nods to Gren, then to Tad. Bows and crossbows set up in cover... 100 feet from their closest perch. Someone move closer, get seen and "run away"...
When the last of them passes the ranged team, we open fire and close quarters fighters close in. Maybe the bait should be unarmed, and a bit squirrely... the look of a loner.
Tad smirks sardonically at Valeska's description of the 'bait'. "Now yer jest tryin' ta butter me up..."
Valeska laughs openly, the gaiety in contrast with the subject matter. Charging a bear was impressive, if I were awake to see the whole thing I might have become smitten. Everyone must let the archers and crossbow fire first, before we engage... Position to cut off their retreat.
Simple plans are the best.
"I should go," Teyran said, likely surpirsing no one. "My armor is better, and it's a fair bet that you are a better shot than me." He said, offering the crossbow to Thad.
"No' likely ," Tad replies,"'n' I'll tell yer why."
Unbending a finger as he makes each point, "Yer armor better. Sounds ta me that idea's tha 'broken wing' bit- I straggle up, lookin' bruised 'n' flustered, sees 'easy pickin's'; you shows up, un-armed but well-armored, they see's 'trap'."
"No' ta toot me own horn, but I a better man in tha scrum than you, an if they do try an' take a swing, I ken swing right back jes fine with or a weapon."
"Ye volunteered fer tha big feathery cap on this mate, no' tha bluidy nose; an I do' see any others just yet can wear save'n yerself."
"I like it. But 100 feet is too close. Make it 300. Don't want the rest of the camp joining in the fun."
You think we could string them along that far?
"Why not? Tad's not that threatening by himself and if they're dumb and greedy enough to be bandits, they'll definitely want to snatch up such easy prey as a foolish lone traveler."