The Stolen Lands (Inactive)

Game Master Akinra

To Hammas:
The First Bandit replies: "I am Grigori, and honestly my favorite head in the whole wide world is my own, so if you can help me keep mine, I can help you find the keep to the south... And yea, it is the Stag Lords. Drunken bastard that he is."

The girl replies: "There were three of us. The other two figured whore was easier than bandit, and safer than dead whore. There are about a dozen bandits in the fort, and some meaner than others. Took them about three days to use up the girls. When the girls were to bruised and battered to provide amusement, the Stag lord lined up all his men. He went first and gave each girl a silver piece, and told his men to pay up as well. every bandit handed the girls a coin, some wood, some copper. When they reached the end of the line, crying and begging for mercy, the Stag Lord set them free. He gave em each a hunk a moldy bread and maggoty meat, a compass, a candle and his warmest wishes. pointing due north, he let them go. Haven't seen either of em since. Rumor has it Kressle castrated a half dozen men her first night at the keep. Her taking me under her wing probably saved me. They called me 'Drone' because I was then, am now, and ever shall be, unmanned."

Jutmon shrugs. "It's all right, and good to take these bandits in for a proper trial. If we preside over it, they may actually get a fair one."

Jutmon spins his staff between his fingers, then strikes the snow.

"What bothers me, is the time frame. Taking prisoners back to Oleg's takes time. Making sure they receive proper justice, will take even more time. I'm not sure we have so very much time."

"That bandit woman that ran off; said some things that worry me."
Jutmon pauses.
"Well, I didn't hear it. These ones we caught, said she did. Something about times and places. I'm just not sure, that letting her be, at the place she wants, at the time she likes, is a very good idea."

If we go back to Oleg's now, she will be."

"Agreed that we should probably not leave that loose end hanging. She went under a rotten smelling tree huh? I guess we should do down there, but what are we going to do this lot?" Roga asks indicating the prisoners.

To the first, Grigori, Varisian? I'm with ya. 'Ard to not be fond of your own, so let's see what we can do for that 'ead for yours. Tell me about the fort and I'll speak for ya. How many are there, what are they like, any that might be willing to turn on the boss? Is your mother still there? What are the 'cursed ones'? The more you tell the better. Also, what do you think of the other two 'ere? The real thing though is Stag Lord. Anything and everything you know. How bad a drunk is 'e?

To the girl, Hammas chuckles and gives her a smile. 'Ey now. Seeing as 'ow my own father is one they can't be too bad. Kind of 'oping to find one myself.

Growing serious again, How long ago they leave? Sorry to say I 'aven't seen or 'eard anything that might fit, but I'll ask the others. Only joined 'em a bit ago, so they may have something. Wouldn't count on it though, this is rough country. For yourself, I'm Hammas. Tell ya what I did Grigori, tell me what ya can and I'll speak for ya. May not be a knight like the others, but they'll listen. Your boss sounds like a real bastard, and it's 'im we're after, not girls who did what they 'ad to. Tell me about the twelve in the fort, and the boss. Any way to sneak in and slit his throat?

With the others, You've the right of it wizard. We need to get 'er out of 'er 'ole quick as can. As for them, gesturing to the prisoners, take 'me with us. I'd like all of us to be there in case we need someone, so keep 'em tied and then tie 'em to a tree. Even if they get free, they won't be able to get far and they don't sound likely to risk their necks for the boss lady

The girl seems to be the most vocal, and she pipes up with answers, such as they are, to your queries. "Right. That is a lot more ground to cover than you would think. We will start small. First, we are recruits, so we don't have much by way of information, at least I dont." The man shakes his head, indicating he also doesn't know too much. "Here is what I know. I am sticking to what I know, because I don't want to take something for granted and have that be what gets you killed, Ok? To be sure, there is stuff missing here."

"First, the cursed ones. The hills around the Lord's keep are cursed. The dead rise up to greet anyone who attempts entry except by the secret path. We are initiates, we had to prove ourselves on this mission to get status. Since we have no status, we don't know the path. They bring us recruits in and out blindfolded, bound, and hooded.

"Tracking is no good there. They make a sport of running across the cursed land to wake the dead. Keep fresh tracks up all over that mislead. The boss also sends the people he doesn't like anymore out there. They tie you up, and he escorts you out. They don't attack him. He unties you, and bolts. You have just enough time to pull off the hood and blindfolds before the dead are on ya. Or so I was told. I have seen the undead, never seen them feed someone to them though. Anyhow, that is the cursed.

"The lord has dozens in his employ but he never allows them all in at once. They are on a schedule. You come in, you pay your share to the boss, you party, then, most important, you leave. Never overstay or the boss will get bored with your lazy crew, and feed you to the cursed.

"[b]Rumor has it the Lord has three main lieutenants who are always with him. There is a moron who is strong as an Aurochs, the one who works as the moron's brain. possibly the most evil of them all. Rumor has it he lives cause pain. He tortures anything and anyone he can get his hands on. Keeps pet rats to kill when he runs out of people I am told. Anyhow, the one who has everyone scared is the quiet one. Don't know his name either. Keeps to himself in his own rooms. If he comes out to talk to you, you are either getting promoted, or getting killed. Rumor is he is the real leader now.

"The Lord himself is a mystery. He drinks in order to 'commune with his love' and he loves being in love. . . if you know what I mean. He is so deep in his cups, he . . . Whats the nice way of calling someone a complete and total drunkard? You get him his booze, and he will be unconscious in however long it takes him to pound them all down. He won't stop drinking as long as he has something to drink in front of himself.

"Rumor is he can shoot the wings off a gnat at 100 yards with his bow even in his current state. The other fun rumor is that when he decides to kill you himself, he squeezes your head like a zit until it pops."

"As much as I want to put my pistol over the Stag Lords' heart bring an end to my vengeance, I do not plan to do it while he is so drunk that he has passed into unconsciousness. I suggest we allow him his stupor while we deal with the rest of his forces, especially, the 'new leader' one. Then once that is finished and he wakes up in chains we read him his charge, and hang him. Preferably in a public setting like Oleg's, but bringing something back for proof of death is likely just as effective. That is my two copper anyways, take it or leave it as you will."

Makes no difference to me how we do it, so long as he ends up dead and none of us join 'im. Sergei, you said vengeance a few times, what's your deal with the Stag Lord?

To the group as a whole, Hey, I've a thought, might be crazy, but I think it could work. We've got this password, the liquor, and two people well known to the fort crew. What if we just rode down and pretended to be part of the gang. If anyone asks what happened to the boss here, we tell 'em the truth. There was a fight, and she lost. If we show up with tribute and booze, can't see them objecting too strongly.

As 'Drone' answers the questions, Thanks, that should be a mighty help to us. If you were us, how would you try to get in without getting killed?

Sergei balls his hands into fists at his side as his jaw tightens, "He embodies everything that I hate in this world. Bandits took everything from me. The Stag Lord is the reason that I am in this living hell."

Nareth listens quietly to the talk, and when they away from the prisoners and talking he also remains mostly silent. When Sergei mentions his deal with the Stag Nareth snorts "If you have ever been to hell you wouldn't say that. I think we'll have to assess the situation when we reach the Stag Lord before we can decide on a plan of action, we are assuming too much right now. As for the prisoners, I think we should take them with us"

Sergei snorts and turns towards Nareth, "Do not speak to me as if you know hell. You revel in your pain, I loathe it. I see her die before my eyes every time I close them, an arrow through the throat, blood sprayed everywhere in the carriage. Do not speak to me as if I do not know pain, priest." He says in a deadly even-tone.

"We aren't prepared to assault a fortress full of men yet. Lets fix this wagon first. Then we can knock these fools out and load them into it tied up. Then we go down the hole, kill that b*tch and get Svetlana's ring back. Then we go back to Oleg's sell all this, deal with this lot one way or the other and THEN, we can worry about our next move."

I don't think we have time to fix the wagon first. Waiting a day or two before going after her doesn't sound like a good idea.

How long will it take to fix the wagon with all of us working on it DM?

Days. The items are typical. Wheel, axle, and some boards for the bed. So dc 10. Problem is you don't have tools or supplies. You need iron bands, nails, and wood cut and shaped to size. Dc is only 10 +2 for no tools if you had the commodities, but you still need to chop down trees and hammer out swords into bands or something... Or you could spend a day and fake it with what you have and treat it as having the broken condition.

Sorry posting via phone.

Is it in good enough condition to roll without collapsing?

Seeing the tension in her companions, Hammas tries to lighten the mood. Roga, why'd you have to poke 'oles in another perfectly good plan? Keep listening to you and we'll all make it out of this alive. Wagon's gonna take too long to fix, so let's just all head to the tree, keep 'em tied up and deal with whatever's down there. Other stuff can come after that, deal?

To Nareth and Sergei, 'Ey now. Let's not be disagreeing in front of the prisoners. If the Stag Lord killed your girl then you have every right to his 'ead, but first things first. We settle things 'ere. Sounds like ya both have more than enough pain, no need to compare.

To Inuki, What'cha think? Shall we dig the nice lady out of her hole tonight?

I know it's winter, but would Hammas have noticed any toxic plants that are still viable? I'm thinking we spike the lord's drink. ^_^ Not a paladin this time, so I can use poison.

Nareth shrugs "More of an observation than anything. Yes, we shouldn't give her too long. So, do we intend to knock the prisoners out?"

Inuki is not happy with all the unknowns, but feels like Roga has a decent plan. "If there are wicked fey about, cold iron is the best way to hurt them. Or magic. It's not much but I do have a cold iron dagger. Anyone else? And can we get back out? Maybe we should leave someone on the outside?"

Does it look like we could climb through the hole and back up? Or is it closed up where she went in?

"I can leave Sevrina to look over the prisoners. Few would pay attention to a hawk perched in a tree."
Jutmon scratches at the back of his head, in absent thought.
"She's not an underground bird, obviously. So I'll only miss her company, and she can give me a mental warning, of sorts. Nothing too detailed, but a feeling of distress, if something bad is happening."

Jutmon figures that if the bandits escape, they will just grab some of the loot and leave. He is actually more worried about something fierce coming along, and chewing the prisoner's faces off, while they are tied up, helpless.

Thought we'd stepped away from the prisoners to discuss?

"That sounds good. Lets hide the loot under some branches, near the hole. Then we knock them out by the base of the tree, and go take care of that. Then the others."

Thought we'd stepped away from the prisoners to discuss?

"That sounds good. Lets hide the loot under some branches, near the hole. Then we knock them out by the base of the tree, and go take care of that. Then the other stuff."

Well, best get to it then.

Heading back to the prisoners, Alright, everybody up. Once everyone seems to be ready, Hammas starts leading the prisoners towards the tree.

You arrive at the tree, and it appears much as you left it. A large, dead appearing (though that could be the winter...) elm with a hole suitable for a medium sized creature to slip through leading underground.

Tying the prisoners to the tree, Hammas warns them. Don't get fidgety or distracting. We're likely to be a might twitchy for the next while.

Giving Roga, Nareth, and Sergei a chance to size the situation up. Well, what'cha think?

Roga walks by the prisoners, clunking them over the head and knocking them out. "I think we can't trust them for one. As for the hole, I think one of us needs to go in and look. I'm happy to." Turning to Midnight Roga says, "Watch them, if they run" he says pantomiming it, "Smash them" he continues making hoof motions at the tied up unconscious bandits.

Just doing enough non-lethal damage to put them under for a while.

Ah I thought we were going to use a sleep spell. Well this doesnt cost precious magic lol

Bah! Everything beyond not being dead is a gift to them. :P

Inuki volunteers to explore, using Dancing Lights for illumination and Message to apprise the others of what is happening.

How far down the rabbit hole?

Hammas rolls her eyes at Roga's actions, but they were out of they way for certain now. So, fair enough.

As the bard prepares to crawl inside, Be careful, really careful. That hole smells like death. You give a shout and we'll pull you out right quick. Assuming they use a setup similar to before, Hammas will take hold of the rope, ready to Inuki out fast as possible.

Inuki uses Message to relay a whispered description of the layout to the others. "Ten foot drop, there's a tunnel here going east-west. You can stand if you duck. Tie off the rope and send backup. I am headed west."

Slipping off the rope, he sneaks down the tunnel.

If it gets too dark I will make Dancing Lights behind me.

Roga clambers down after Iunki, drawing his earthbreaker. Once the others have dropped down he motions the fox-bard forward.

Replying to Inuki, Wait up. Don't go on by yourself.

To the others, Think we should leave someone up here or all go in? Jutmon, Sevrina can keep watch right? Nareth, Jutmon, wanna take the east with me? Hammas carefully secures the chain to her back, and readying the broad-bladed boar spear, before tying the rope to a nearby tree and dropping down the hole. Moving slightly east to make room, she waits for the others before heading down the tunnel.

Roga Perception: 1d20 + 2 ⇒ (17) + 2 = 19

Roga grabs the axes, "Guess the woman's already taken care of." he says, waving the face skin for the others to see.

As Roga waves the mask, That was quick and bloody work. Let's not let it 'appen to us. Hammas will begin quietly moving down the east tunnel.

Map is Up

Can you place us on the map? Are we in R2?

Inuki is in R1. Roga and Hammas are in the tunnel between R1 and R2, not shown on map, so you are on the dirt pile between those rooms. Sergei, Nareth, and Jutmon are above ground with the three unconscious bandits tied to the tree's trunk.

Roga follows Inuki, doing his best to keep quiet.

Taking a 10 on my stealth for a 9

Does Inuki recognize them as evil? What does he know about the mites?

K. Nature, Inuki: 1d20 + 3 ⇒ (5) + 3 = 8

No, you do not recognize them.

Jutmon casts dancing lights for his own benefit, and slides down the rope to join the others in the hole. His familiar, Sevrina the hawk, perches on a branch of the hollow tree.

Then he will try to remain hidden and observe until reinforcements arrive.

Everyone continues to hide, Inuki notices the strange creatures are down to two caltrops remaining, each. The game will end in 12 seconds or less. . .

*Hey guys, I found some strange little imps. Not sure what they are.*, Inuki whispers to the others using a bardic trick of the voice.

Using Message cantrip.

*Don't get too close untill you're sure they're not dangerous*

Roga will wave the face-skin at Nareth before going after Inuki into the room. "Of course they're dangerous, lets kill them."

He makes no attempt at stealth, "Ready to die demons!?" he asks the little blue creatures, recognizing them as the pests from the cave much earlier in their journey, "My horse already offed one of your cousins."