The prisoner tells you that aside from Kressle, none of the other bandits at the camp are particularly dangerous. There are six other bandits holding the camp with Kressle, though at any given time, two of them are usually out of the camp hunting, gathering firewood, and patrolling.
The encampment itself is along the Thorn River's north bank. Two platforms hidden in the trees 20 feet off the ground serve as watch posts. The bandits keep their valuables beneath a tarp below the east watch post.
There are no spellcasters or alchemists in the camp. If Kressle is defeated, the other bandits would likely either flee or surrender.
After this he'll gather the group. "We'll need to ride today to deal with Kressle before she knows about our little shindig here."
He idly brushes his whiskers as he thinks, "We need to figure out what we're doing, since we'll be outnumbered. Let's get a couple plans going and then figger out which one to do. Got a couple ideas myself."
"The first is to sneak up and find a place within hollarin' distance of at least one tower if not the whole camp. We challenge them. It can be a shot or a shout to get their attention. Then they need to come to us. We'll get some shots on them before they reach us." He pauses and looks over Russ'Ruk, "You do have a bow or somethin'?"
"The other idea is the crazy one. I won't be able to pull this off, but I think Blaze might have the ksafith to handle it. We have the badges of the Stag Lord. We use those to get into the group and then we set our sights on Kressle. We take her down and then call for the others to surrender." He does look at each other person before continuing. "If this goes bad we end up surrounded, but if'n it goes good we cut off the head."
Blaze elaborately stretches with a languid smile. "Well I'm always for plans involving ksafith. I've practically got ksafith leaking out my ears don't write that down Linz. Besides, being surrounded just means your enemies are standing too close together."
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After burying the bodies Russ joins the group with their new friend.
"Okay so... we've got ourselves a group of bandits, the location of their camp, numbers, and a vauge plan on how to do this. If we ride today we should be able to get there before nightfall. Do we want to try to sneak up on them? Blaze you might be able to reasonably get into their camp, but that leaves you very exposed. Do they have some kind of sognal for when a group returns for the night? Would they be expecting a single reinforcement?"
He swaggers around postulating a myriad of questions. "I think if we hit fast and hard, take out the guards in the tower and then deal with the folks on the ground would be the best bet. But unlike many of my kind i'm not exactly... sneaky. So I can wait nearby and charge in once covers been blown. First thing however is we need more information."
"I'm pretty sneaky." he says, wearing a suit covered in bits of local foliage. "What's more, if I need assistance, you'll know." he pats his gun.
Vesi hesitates for a moment, then speaks up. "I could send Possum closer to their camp to scout." The leshy familiar rustles nervously. "I know, I know, but it's for a good cause, innit?"
Knaxshi looks over at the plant, "We could both go and watch each other's backs." It's a bit odd, but scouting as a pair usually worked better. One moving and the other watching.
"Oh, I'm not gonna pretend I'm someone they should know. I figure, the two of you recon - if they've got eyes in the back of their heads, I give 'em something to look at. If they're not expecting any trouble, we give it to 'em anyways."
As they ride out, Knaxshi will practice a few hand/leaf signals with possum to be able to sneak with each other better.
You follow the bandit's directions west into the woods of the Greenbelt, then south to Thorn River. You skirt the northern bank, and as the sun begins to set, you arrive at the creekside campsite.
The Thorn River bandit camp is relatively large. The encampment itself is about 60 feet from the Thorn’s north bank—a path winds alongside a shallow creek that leads directly up to the campsite. This path continues for another 200 feet north of the camp before turning into a standard game trail.
A small clearing has been cut in the woods. Tree trunks and logs serve as chairs, all centered around a stone-lined campfire. A heap of kindling and smaller sticks lies nearby.
A wooden platform 20 feet off the ground gives a great view of the campsite and the trail. A rope ladder allows access. You spot a bandit keeping watch from this platform. A similar platform is on the opposite side of the camp, to the west, also occupied by a bandit. Three more bandits sit around the campfire, including a stern-looking woman with a pair of hatchets at her belt.
The bandits haven't noticed you yet...
As they leave the outpost behind and pass under the canopy of the old forest, Vesi is almost giddy with excitement, pointing at the trees, the underbrush, the vines, the birds, the insects, and any and all living things that form the ecosystem known as the Narlmarches. From muttering under their breath the names of all plants to exclamations of delight as they spot a woodland creature, the druid puts their mission entirely out of their mind until they are near the bandits' campsite.
Crouched behind a thick bush, the undine carefully removes the leshy Possum out of their satchel, setting it on the ground. "Alright, now, as we discussed. Make like this bush and sneak towards those people there. Slowly and carefully. I'll be riding along."
Possum skulks about the camp, slowly circling the area. The leshy does not detect any more bandits than the ones that you can already see. It doesn't seem like there are any surprises waiting for you here.
Knaxshi will let them know, "Be ready for my signal or a sound of scuffle." He'll sneak up with terrain stalker and try to quietly scale the ladder.
Knaxshi quietly sneaks through the underbrush, emerging near the east watch tower. He stealthily climbs the rope ladder up to the platform, emerging right behind the sentry, who is looking the other way...
A hint of doubt goes through his mind about striking from surprise. But this group has attacked innocents. Hesitating will likely get him killed.
So he lines up and shoots twice, fading back to use the platform to protect against retaliation from the ground. Of course if he survives this, it won't help against his revenge.
Knaxshi catches the bandit by surprise, firing a round directly into his back! The man goes down hard, sprawling onto the platform before the gunslinger. Before any of the other bandits can react, the ratfolk reloads and fires across the river to the bandit guarding the west platform! His aim is true, and that man goes down as well!
This time Vesi isn't as startled by the loud crack of the firearm, and strides towards the rest of the bandits, arms extended as they draw on their connection to natural forces.
"You are not wanted here! Your fellows have been struck down, and you will follow unless you change your bloodthirsty ways!"
A powerful gust of wind issues forth towards the bandits gathered around the campfire, almost extinguishing the flames.
"That's kinda close if you're not actually gonna take 'em out Blue," Blaze quipped, turning to the bandits with a fierce grin. "Lucky for you, I've never minded leftovers."
Russ'ruk charges into the camp, cutting down one of the bandits with a mighty swing of his sword! Vesi unleashes buffeting winds to batter the other bandits, while Blaze creates an arc of electricity between them. Kressle's last ally falls, leaving the bandit's leader standing alone to face you!
"I don't know who you bastards are, but you're going to regret this!" Kressle snarls, drawing a pair of hatchets. She moves in to chop at Russ'ruk, but he parries her strikes!
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Holding his blade menacingly Russ shouts at kessle. "Surrender now and you'll be spared foght on and you'll be put to the blade like everyone else!"
If she doesn't immediately start to back down he would swing with the flat of his trusty blade aiming to knock the bandit queen out for future questioning.
From above, Knaxshi speaks "It's over, Kressle. I hold the high ground."
He'll ready a shot if she plans to go down fighting.
Blaze's warning makes Vesi realize just how close they were to danger, and they retreat to a somewhat safer distance from the bandit leader. The undine debates for a moment if they should try to use a gentler approach with Kresle, but the stories from Oleg and Svetlana had made Vesi doubt that a change of heart was possible - at least not in the heat of battle and after they had just killed all her companions. Perhaps later, if she lived and once spirits were cooler.
Instead the druid gestures, and suddenly a tree sprouts nest to Russ'Ruk and grows to twice his height within seconds!
"The forest itself stands with us!" shouts Vesi, as the branches, smelling strongly of sap and freshly turned earth, swing protectively in front of the kobold.
Blaze smirks derisively at Kressle's bravado, flames dancing in her eyes and along her fingers.
"Please. To regret this I'd have to remember it."
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Blaze hurls fire at Kressle, scorching her badly, then Russ'ruk delivers a hearty thwack with the flat of his blade, knocking the woman out cold!
"No sign of Svetlana's wedding ring," sighs Vesi as they survey the pile of loot. "But I think her and Oleg will appreciate the return of at least some of their stolen wares.
The druid runs a hand over the bark of the new tree that now marks the spot of Kressle's defeat. [b]"Let's make sure she's not going anywhere, then we can ask her about the other bandits. What do we do if she doesn't cooperate though? Killing her while unarmed and bound seems... harsh."
"Even if she does cooperate, we'll have to figure out what to do with her. I don't think we can trust her to go off and become a productive member of society." He says, stroking his whiskers thoughtfully. "The main two options are to drag her back or to execute her."
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Russ'Ruk worked to tie up their unconscious captive making sure to check her of any boot or belt knives. "I do hope she reconsiders after she realizes her situation is so dire. If there's a chance she's willing to give up such a life of banditry then it's best to at least offer."
He looks to the sun and tries to gauge how long it'd take to return to Oleg's. "I think we should take her back and allow Oleg and Svetlana to decide her fate. Let them know that the people will have their say in our lands."
"We can put up a posting at the Trading Post for folk to try to reclaim anything stolen by the Stags. If we repossess enough stuff that Svetty and Oleg get rich off the extra visitors, that all works for us too. As for Kressle, if we want her to tell us something, we've gotta make sure she sees something better than a Daggermark necktie at the end of her road.
"If we're gonna keep collecting strays though, we might want to set up some kind of wagon train to haul 'em all back to Lady Giantsbane. Not like we want 'em cluttering up the inn, right?"
You rest overnight in the bandits' camp. At one point during the night, you can hear rustling in the undergrowth and catch a glimpse of firelight reflected off of some beast's eyes, but it doesn't approach the campfire. The next day, you escort the captured bandit leader back to Oleg's Trading Post. It's slower-going with her on foot, and you reach the trading post shortly after nightfall.
When you arrive, you can see three small tents have been set up just south of the stable, in the shadow of the palisade. Four mercenaries have arrived from Brevoy to answer the Levetons' pleas for aid. Their leader approaches and gives you a grim nod.
"Kesten Garess. We're here to keep this trading post safe from the depredations of bandits." He eyes the woman you are escorting with a questioning look.
Vesi has been trying to make small talk with Kressle all day, exhorting the health benefits of a lawful and virtuous life - such as not being executed for banditry, or dying in prison.
As they return to the outpost, the undine spots the newcomers and waves at the cheerfully. "Hello! Welcome to the Greenbelt! I'm Vesi, nice to meet you." Following the man's gaze, they turn in the saddle to introduce their captive. "This is Kressle, we've had a little disagreement but I'm hoping she's seen the error of her ways." They smile encouragingly at the (hopefully) former bandit.
"Yeah! We didn't depredate her or nothin!" Blaze protests before realizing that probably that wasn't the question.
"So wait, who hired you?"
Kressle remains quiet and surly, though Vesi feels they've made some progress towards cracking the bandit's stoicism.
"The Levetons sent a letter to Restov a while back, asking for protection from the increasing threat of the local bandits," Kesten explains. "The Swordlords sent us to provide that protection. We arrived as soon as we could." The man seems nonplussed by Vesi's friendly overtures.
"I will leave your prisoner to you. The next time you run into some of these brigands, though, I'd ask you to keep an eye out for a Varisian man named Falgrim Sneeg. He's a mercenary who worked with me months ago, until he decided to rob my group and flee into the Greenbelt to become a bandit. I'll arrange a reward for him, either dead or alive, but I'd prefer you catch him alive so I can return him to Restov for proper punishment. Death is too good for that bastard."
"Any distinguishing marks?" asks Knaxshi. If they were travelling around, it would be good to keep an eye out for wanted men. He wouldn't necessarily accept Kesten's word alone, but it was worth looking into.
"He's got dark, shaggy hair and a mole on his cheek," Kesten says to Knaxshi.
"Sure, sure. That all makes sense. Hey you wouldn't happen to have a warrant or something sealed by her swordladyship, wouldya? I just ask because I've heard tell of charming and daring bandits pretending to be in service to the local lords and ladies very successfully. Until the sheriff asked for something like that..."
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Russ wasn't so vile as to make Kressle walk the entire way slinging her onto the back of the horse for part of the journey.
He let the others handle the mercenaries for the most part. "While we don't deny Lady Jamandi's regard to putting bandits to the blade. We must also show some level of compassion, and give some a chance to repent their ways and use their skills and knowledge for the betterment of the land."
He dismounts and starts towards the door once he's certain that the others won't cause any ruckus. "We must also give the citizens their dues in deciding what is to be done with those who have wronged them."
Opening the door he calls for Oleg and Svetlana to come greet their newest guest to the trade-post, as well as the rest of their company.
Knaxshi will nod at Ruus'Ruk statements, giving his silent assent.
Kesten willingly shows Blaze the official documents from the Swordlords of Restov indicating his group has been hired to defend the trading post.
Oleg and Svetlana emerge to take care of your mounts and provide you with a hearty meal after a long day of travel. Kressle remains silent and sullen, though she does eat if offered food.
Amiri gives the bandit a sidelong glance as she shovels stew into her mouth. "So, what are we going to do with her?" she asks.
"There's one obvious answer that rhymes with 'S#!%ting her coat,' but it really depends how useful she is before we get to that." Blaze gives a languid glance over to Kressle. "After all, the more we can focus on the Stag Lord, the more we don't have to worry about any past subordinates."
"But how's your own hunting been going 'Miri? Any bears, boars, or boors worth your blade and a tale? When you can't find your foes, hanging your ass out like a firefly does draw attention and challenges, but there's a lot to be said for getting to actually ambush them instead."
"I was actually hoping she could be reformed," Vesi pipes up, frowning at Blaze. "I think these people have been lacking opportunities to make a honest living, so if we make it easier for them to do that, while at the same time making it difficult to continue their life of banditry, sooner or later they will see the logic of abandoning the latter."
The druid finishes their second bowl of stew - although of course they didn't ask for seconds until after they had taken some food to Kressle as well. Collecting the dirty dishes, Vesi goes to help Svetlana with clean-up, chatting with the woman as they work.
"What do you think, Svetlana? What would you like to see done with these bandits?"
"How do you see reforming working?" asks Knaxshi. "She's a killer who led other killers. I'm willing to trust that somebody who just got caught up in a bad situation if our guts feel that they're ready. But somebody giving the orders is somethin' diff'rent."
I reckon it's gonna take a long stretch of peaceful behavior while being watched to prove that she's not going back to that. Prob'ly years. We'll need two or three people strong enough to take her in a fight to watch her for that time, or a whole bunch of people who aren't that strong." he looks at her, "Who do you reckon is going to do that"
"Maybe one day we can get one of those powerful people to pony up for this, but for now I don't think we have that choice."
Vesi blinks at Knaxshi a few times, stammering. "Well, I was... I wasn't..." They consider for a few moments, then continue. "I don't have all the answers, I'm sorry. It would not be easy, but we have a few people here, innit?" The undine glances at Amiri and Valerie - they looked capable, didn't they? Could probably subdue a Kressle between them, right?
"And what is the other choice then? Kill everyone, even if they surrender? Or worse, get what we need from them, and then kill them? Just because otherwise it would be inconvenient to us? What does that say about who we are, and what kind of kingdom are we building on those foundations? No mercy, no forgiveness. Just the rope, or the blade."
The undine takes a few deep breaths. "If it was easy being a good person, there would be a lot more of those and a lot less of Kressles and Stag Lords, innit? But that doesn't mean we should not even try."
"Hey, I specifically said that if we got what we needed from her then we didn't need to kill her. That's the whole point - incentives! Besides, as long as they're armed and she's not, that goes a long way towards properly unfairing any fights, so we wouldn't need three people. That plan doesn't always work, but it's easy enough for people who need tools."
She shrugged, stood, and prestidigitated her bowl clean. "I'm out for a walk. Splishy-splashy tree pants is right though, Fuzzy; their way is harder. So I say they can keep their guest if they want, but I will also say that flipping on other outlaws is a time-honored way of avoiding the noose, and if she doesn't respect that tradition, then will she ever really respect others?"
"Oh, I'm not saying don't try." he says, "I've had a second chance or two in my lifetime. I'm just saying that we need to figure it out before we make an offer, and figure out who's doing the work."
He pauses, taking the time to fill a small pipe and light it. "We also need to establish what happens if she breaks her side of the bargain."
"But how's your own hunting been going 'Miri? Any bears, boars, or boors worth your blade and a tale? When you can't find your foes, hanging your ass out like a firefly does draw attention and challenges, but there's a lot to be said for getting to actually ambush them instead."
Amiri laughs. "My ass has been known to draw a lot of attention!" she says, patting her only partially concealed cheek. "You weren't gone long enough for me to be able to much hunting. But maybe you'll take me with you next time you go out so we can look for a worthy challenge together!"
"What do you think, Svetlana? What would you like to see done with these bandits?"
"I would give them a chance to reform, at least," Svetlana muses. "I'm sure not all of them are so devoted to the Stag Lord or their lifestyle as to turn away from an opportunity for honest work. Send them off to Restov with an escort to make sure they get to the people who can try to rehabilitate them. But you're the adventurers, so I'll leave their fates to your discretion."
"Puh-leeze! Mine literally glows! When I've been drinking at least, probably some other times that I haven't noticed. If I wore pants like that, ships would be running aground at me all the time! Which there's good money in if you have a crew of Wreckers. And if they don't laugh so hard that the sailors can hear it above the surf."
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Russ grumbles a bit and then looks to Kressle, "Well if you've got any good information for us then that seems a good start towards redemption. I doubt you wanted to fall under the command of this Stag-fellow and at least we're willing to give you a fair shake before deciding. I bet he'd just start with the chopping after learning you're band was defeated by some new blood to the land yeah?"
He looks her over deeply, "So what do you say to giving the correct side of the road a try hmm?"