"Well done, well done." Teela smiles when the trackers are able to follow the trail. "Not that I am good at this, but you guys make it look easy."
She looks at the state of the light around them. "But can you do that overnight? I can provide some light, but if we want to sneak up on them, that's probably not a good idea. We would shine like a lighthouse on a moonless night."
Velas glances at the horizon as well. "Yes, let's camp nearby and get an early start tomorrow. Maybe we'll be able to surprise them."
Velas does his usual portion of the camp setup and readies himself for his watch later in the evening.
Do you set up usual camp, including fire, for the night? if not, what are the differences in the usual plan?
Alvis tries his best but still tends to wander off the trail only to recover it later. Alvis prays, "My lord Abadar, may you conceal the efforts of your poor servant so the Sky Father doesn't notice me , so the weather may hold and keep the trail clear."
He looks embarrassed at the effusive praise. "Oh, Fean's help did much of it, and a true forester would long be done." Alvis replies to Teela, "I could, darkness means little to me, but leading five people and maybe the horses through the dark? I'm sure someone, person or equine, would break a twig or a leg in woods. Best to wait till morning."
On setting up camp, Alvis says, "We are close enough that a fire or its smoke might be spotted, but the warmth of it could mean a less stiff morning and satisfied bellies. I suggest we dig a deep hole while it's light, put the fire there with dry wood that does not smoke with a goodly pile of rocks to absorb heat and smother the fire before twilight. Spend the night with all vision adapted to the dark. Otherwise as normal."
6 Pharast, along the Thorn River, Greenbelt, The Stolen Lands
You take appropriate precautions, still lighting a fire for warmth, as the early spring nights have a hint of frost about them still. The warmth is somewhat hampered by the hole dug to hide the flames, but you all make it through the night without interruption or incident.
Dawn breaks in the woods, and a moderately heavy fog settles in between the trees of the Greenbelt. It lowers visibility a bit (only 20' without concealment) but not enough to keep you from getting bearings. Being adjacent to the narrow but swiftly flowing river also allows you to easily determine direction if you get disoriented.
It appears the tracks led north along the east bank of the river, but you can choose other tactics or plan your approaches in case you stumble upon a bandit camp in the foggy dawn light.
With a hint of anticipation and excitement, Teela snickers. "Alright..." She pulls off her eye patch and ties it around her wrist. She hisses and blinks a few times as her eye adjusts to the light conditions, then reaches for the rope in the saddlebags and tosses the other end to Alvis. "Can you hold on to this? I'll go a bit ahead, and this fog is pretty thick. If we can't see each other, at least we'll stay in reach."
"Graham," she turns to the man "want to come with me? We'll head north along the river, and we'll stumble into the bandits, hopefully."
"We'll play the carrot. A lost couple on a nice ride through the woods. If they go for the bait, we'll keep them busy for a moment and the rest can charge in and we'll see what happens."
She looks around. "Unless someone has other ideas? I'm all ears."
Quintessa listens to Teela. "I don’t hate it. But let’s make sure the carrot has a stick waiting in the mist."
She loads her crossbow with a click. "If you’re bait, I’ll stay close enough to watch from the edge. I can cover you if things go south quickly.
If they don’t bite, we’ll know they’re more cautious than expected."
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Graham considers Teela's ruse strategy for a moment.
I love this plan! I'm excited to be a part of it! Let's do it!
He grabs the seamstress about the waist and plants a kiss full on her lips. I need to get into the part, don't you know.
Velas can't help but laugh at Graham's performance. "You convinced me! A new couple in the group."
After having that laugh, Velas voices his agreement with the plan. "The idea seems good to me. And I can't think of anything beyond walking swords drawn. Like Quintessa, I'll be ready to spring into action."
Teela seems set aback for a hot second after Graham's stunt. She squints both eyes at him. "Darling, this is not the time for such frivolity. We're lost in the woods."
Her face shifts to one of concern, she nods at the rest of the group and gently kicks Caramel. The animal starts slowly moving along the river. "Well? Come, Darling. We need to find a trail."
After Graham catches up, she leans closer. "I suggested the plan, so you'll get this one pass.", she ruffles her hair a bit. "Don't overdo it."
Alvis points out a concern for the plan, "That can work but it invites defeat in detail without good coordination. The main group will need to know when to-" Alvis breaks off after Graham's impulsive action, facepalming and with a great sigh muttering, "Humans."
Weakly he follows with, "Just tell us what signal you want to use to bring us into action. Timing will be everything."
Quintessa exhales slowly through her nose at the spectacle, raising a brow ever so slightly but saying nothing.
She addresses Alvis calmly, voice low but focused. "A whistle might be too sharp and sound may carry the same. Let’s use Teela’s voice. If she laughs, truly laughs, that’s our sign to move."
She looks at Teela and Graham, now resuming their cover as lost lovers. And if you’re in real danger before then? A scream. No performance, no delay. We’ll know the difference."
"Let’s just hope your chemistry sells it better than your subtlety." she says, giving Graham the look.
After Graham catches up, she leans closer. "I suggested the plan, so you'll get this one pass.", she ruffles her hair a bit. "Don't overdo it."
Oh, I wouldn't think of it, he says, taking great care to wrap and stow several of his weapons close to Horse under the saddlebags since he knows that would be a giveaway to an observant person. He leaves only his machete out and in plain sight.
As the woman, be sure you're the one to ask for directions, he says quietly.
Louder, he continues, I told you, I did not see that blasted elk until it was almost upon us! I don't know how we lost the trail, but...
The group heads off, with the lovers in front, and the others trailing a decent distance behind. As the morning wears on, the fog that was very thick at dawn burns off and visibility is no longer affected. Moving north along the east bank of the river, a dilapidated looking wagon comes into view on the west bank. Not a moving cart, but something broken down looking and old, there seems to be a bit of an old path there as well that leads along the western bank.
As you get a bit closer, the smell of a fire becomes evident, and you can just make out a flicker of flame and a plume of smoke off to the right (east) of where you ride along the river bank. Of the leading pair, Graham spots some kind of movement in a large tree about 60' to the north, which happens to be across the stream. There appears to be an occupied wooden platform about 20' off the ground there.
Since the lovers aren't really trying to be stealthy, soon enough a voice calls out from the direction of the platform. "Oy! Stop there, you! Drop yer weapons, an' dismount. Slowly!"
Teela stops her horse and puts on a face of feigned relief and turns to Graham. "Oh, Honey, do you hear that?, she points at the direction of the sound. "Someone's here. We're saved! Oh, thank heavens."
Then she turns to the voice and shouts "Hello? We're lost. Can you help us? We only need directions and won't keep you long."
She is not attempting to be quiet at all and is full on shouting to be heard by the rest of the party.
We're not lost, exactly, we just don't know where we are. It's not the same thing...
Teela turns her head at Graham again, barely hiding a chuckle. She somehow keeps her composure. "Oh, Sweetie... recognising a problem is the first step to solving it. Just call things the way they are! It's no shame to do so."
She turns back to the voice in the treetops. "Terribly sorry, my dear husband wanted to show me the woods and I suppose we simply rode too far, lost in the moment."
Trusting in his ability to quickly close the gap to Graham and Teela, Velas stays relatively far back - at least 30 feet or up to 60 feet if there isn't good cover.
Alvis posessing neither stealth nor speed, hangs back from Velas by about 30 feet not daring to get closer. He nerviously waits with shallow breaths believing that only the sleeping and the dead could miss finding him.
-- Earlier --
Faen beams with pride at the other's kind words regarding her and Alvis' success in tracking the bandits.
-- Now --
Faen stays with the others , about 30ft back, not wanting to spook whomever Greela were talking to.
The voice from the trees ahead calls back, "Oy! Stay where you are an' keep yer hands where I can see 'em." The lookout then shouts something else, and a pair of rough-looking characters emerges from the trees nearby. They wear brown leathers that seem in ill-repair with a knife at their belt and a bow and quiver over their shoulders. One of the newcomers is a tall, lanky fellow with long greasy hair and unkempt beard. "Dese lovebirds is lost in de woods, Mikey. Whatever will they do?" He pulls his knife and motions towards the actors. "Git off them horses an' on yer knees" Mikey, the other bandit, has a large white scar on his pock-marked face. He unslings his bow and aims it at Graham. "No funny bidness, Romeo. You picked the wrong place t'wander into, didnya?" he laughs, a hoarse ugly sound. "Tressle ain't gonna believe these two just walked up on us,"
Graham blinks twice and then lets out a hearty laugh. Oh, good one! You had me going for a minute, friend! Haha! Now, if you can just let us know how we can get back to the trail, we'll leave you all to...whatever it is you lot do.
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Teela feigns a smile. "Oh, Darling, these must be some sort of performing troup imitating a coterie of ruffians!" she claps her hands happily. "Look at their little dull blades." she chuckles. "Oh, I would love a show, please."
She does not dismount.
"Would you like to show us your play, gentlemen? I can help you with some music."
She leans over to the saddlebags out of sight of the bandits, and pulls out a small harp. Then she turns back to the bandits and puts her fingers on the strings, indicating she is ready to start with a smile on her face.
"Ready when you are..." She calls out loudly and clears her throat.
The greasy-haired fellow stands mouth agape as Teela casts a spell to summon her musical instrument into her hand. The other one, Mikey, shouts, "Hey, what gives? I said get down from there, NOW! This ain't no actin'" And he reaches for Teela to pull her from the mount. The sounds is likely loud enough to alert others who may be nearby.
Thorn River Bandit Camp - Round 1
24 Graham
20 Alvis
19 Green Bandit
18 Velas
14 Orange Bandit
13 Teela
12 Quintessa
11 Yellow Bandit
9 Kressle
8 Faen (stealth)
8 Blue Bandit
3 Purple Bandit
Graham reacts quick as lightning, leaping off Horse and landing adjacent to both Orange and Red. He gives Orange a push into the drink...
...then his machete is in his hand as he faces Red. Is that any way to treat a lady?
Alvis in preping for battle dismounted Parable and preped his shield but deemed it too early to draw his morningstar.
At the shout he squares his shoulders, praying that this risky plan works. Raising his shield he moves painfully slow closing about half the distance to the action.
Raise shield ◆, stride ◆, stride ◆, at 15'/stride
Thorn River Bandit Camp - Round 1 - continued
24 Graham
20 Alvis
19 Green Bandit
18 Velas
14 Orange Bandit
13 Teela
12 Quintessa
11 Yellow Bandit
9 Kressle
8 Faen (stealth)
8 Blue Bandit
3 Purple Bandit
Acting quickly, Graham drops off the side of Horse, and shoves the nearest bandit forcefully propelling him off the bank and into the quickly rushing stream. The bandits slips and wavers for a moment but is able to keep his footing even as he gets in the knee-deep water.
Alvis raises his shield and starts the painfully slow journey from where the reminder of the party was hiding out. The dwarf's slow progress gets him within 30' of where Teela stands, but also draws the attention of the bandits who see the inevitable juggernaut headed their way.
Green Bandit was unseen by Graham and Teela and seems to be up in a tree platform off to the right somewhere. You hear a shout, "We got trouble!". A poorly aimed arrow from off in that direction lands well short of Graham's feet, but does let him know someone with ill-intent is in that direction.
Velas rushes up to Graham and Teela, passing Alvis on the way. "Your backup is here" he quips. He ends his movement just shy of a target, so he takes a defensive posture as a shield of shimmering blue-white energy appears before him.
◆ Stride
◆ Stride
◆ Cast Amped Shield
Thorn River Bandit Camp - Round 1 - continued
24 Graham
20 Alvis
19 Green Bandit
18 Velas
14 Orange Bandit
13 Teela
12 Quintessa
11 Yellow Bandit
9 Kressle
8 Faen (stealth)
8 Blue Bandit
3 Purple Bandit
Velas rushes into the melee area, past the lumbering Alvis, but not quite far enough to get a Strike in. Instead, he conjures a psychic shield that shimmers in three layers in front of him, intending to protect him from the inevitable counterattacks from the bandits.
The greasy-haired bandit sputters and curses as he finds himself knee-deep in the ice-cold river water. He clambers back up onto the low bank, and already with knife in hand, swings on Graham, who shoved him before. "Time to die, lover boy," he shouts, still a bit oblivious to the ruse being played. Both knife strokes are clumsy and off the mark, and Graham avoids any cuts so far.
"Oh, but this IS acting! Except you dimwits are the audience." Teela readjusts her seating on Caramel before she starts strumming the harp. She smiles a wicked grin at the bandits as she performs.
"Found a playing card today from someone else's game, picked it up and found it was The Joker."
She remains in place if she is needed in the near future, but as she plays, pebbles from the stream are hurled at the man that attempted to dismount her.
Quintessa closes the distance, moving slowly closer. She lines up a target and fires three pieces of sharp metal towards them.
◈ Stride
◈◈
Thorn River Bandit Camp - Round 1 - continued
24 Graham
20 Alvis
19 Green Bandit
18 Velas
14 Orange Bandit
13 Teela
12 Quintessa
11 Yellow Bandit
9 Kressle
8 Faen (stealth)
8 Blue Bandit
3 Purple Bandit
Teela stays atop Caramel and plays a tune on her harp. The tune adds prowess to her allies within 60', which is currently everyone. Then Teela magically manipulates some rocks from the stream, sending theme hurtling into Orange Bandit, almost like shotgun pellets. The rocks do their work, braining the unfortunate bandit, who falls face-down in the stream.
Quintessa moves ahead also sending a projectile spell, this time metal shards instead of rocks, at Mikey, the Red Bandit. The barrage of needles misses the other bandit however, and no damage is dealt.
From up in the treetops across the Thorn River, Yellow Bandit fires his shortbow at Graham twice, shouting about intruders in the camp at the top of his lungs. The first arrow misses, landing in the stream, but the second finds the range, sticking Graham in the left arm.
Appearing from the east flank comes a woman dressed in black leathers, carrying a pair of hand axes. "Who in the Nine Hells do you think you are? You really want to all die today?" she shouts with a controlled fury. From what you recall, this seems to be the woman who almost chopped off Oleg's hand on the day of the first raid. She does not get close enough to make a Strike.
Faen moves up with the others, too far back to reach the nearest bandit.
However, she plucks a knife from her belt and throws it...
Thorn River Bandit Camp - Round 1 - concluded
Faen drops her hiding, rushes up the path getting near the bandits, then throws a dagger at Mikey (Red Bandit). The tossed blade flies true, sticking hilt deep in the bandits chest, but not doing enough damage to kill the fellow outright.
From the woods to the east, more bandits appear on the ground. They are also armed with shortbow and dagger. Both stop and fire after rushing into line of sight of the intruders. The Blue Bandit's shot flies waaaayyy over the head of Teela and Caramel missing everything. The other shoots at Velas, scoring a minor hit as a grey-fletched arrow scrapes the warrior.
End of Round 1
miss
hit
Thorn River Bandit Camp - Round 2
24 Graham (24/30hp remaining)
20 Alvis (30' south of Teela)
19 Green Bandit
18 Velas (25/28hp remaining)
14 Orange Bandit
13 Teela (mounted)
12 Quintessa (35' south of Teela)
11 Yellow Bandit
9 Kressle
8 Faen
8 Blue Bandit
3 Purple Bandit
Graham flicks his blade at Red, almost dismissively, as his attention is on the woman who appears to be the leader.
Graham them moves over to one of the nearby trees and takes cover from the archers behind it, glaring at the woman. I believe the only people dying at the moment are on your side.
Thorn River Bandit Camp - Round 2 - Alvis
Alvis grimly ponders the situation as his slow pace means he will not arrive soon enough to likely matter. Deciding that even a little help may be better than none he calls upon Abadar for protection and moves a bit forward. "Mighty Abadar, protect thy defenders of justice." A subtle golden glow surrounds him.
Thorn River Bandit Camp - Round 2 - continued
24 Graham (24/30hp remaining)
20 Alvis (30' south of Teela)
19 Green Bandit
18 Velas (25/28hp remaining)
14 Orange Bandit
13 Teela (mounted)
12 Quintessa (35' south of Teela)
11 Yellow Bandit
9 Kressle
8 Faen
8 Blue Bandit
3 Purple Bandit
While Teela plays on, Graham lunges at the nearest bandit, cutting poor Mikey down with a critical hit. Then the fighter moves up to hide from the archers, and block the path of the most serious threat, that woman with two axes who seems to be in charge.
Still bounding up from behind, Alvis covers more of the ground, requesting Abadar's benediction on himself and his allies as they look to remove bandit threats. The holy spell gives Alvis and those near him mild protection from attacks.
Green Bandit in a platform above the ground, fires twice at Velas. One of the arrows glances off Velas' leather armor harmlessly, while he is able to shiftily sidestep the second.
"And I thought I heard laughter. The kind that you hear after story's been told, and everybody's gone away.", Teela continues her song from horseback, lightly navigating Caramel closer to the axe-wielding woman, positioning herself behind her darling husband. She smiles at the woman with a sinister grin, attempting to make sure she feels the song in her bones.
Velas winks at Faen. "Time to go hunting!" He runs towards Kressle, being sure to put the bandit between himself and the archers. Then, he runs his off-hand across the blunt edge of his sword and heat shimmers as fire erupts on the blade. Then he stabs at Kressle, aiming directly for her gut.
◆ Stride
◆◆ Spellstrike w/ Ignition
Thorn River Bandit Camp - Round 2 - continued
24 Graham (24/30hp remaining)
20 Alvis (15' south of Teela)
19 Green Bandit
18 Velas (25/28hp remaining)
13 Teela (mounted)
12 Quintessa (35' south of Teela)
11 Yellow Bandit
9 Kressle
8 Faen
8 Blue Bandit
3 Purple Bandit
Teela moves her mount forward just a bit, ending up adjacent to Graham. She plays her harp more, bringing inspiration to her allies, but successfully demoralizing Kressle, who looks at her with sudden fear.
Leaping into the fray, Velas attacks with his dueling sword, but mixes it with a flame-producing magic that also sears the bandit leader along with normal blade damage. The smell of burning flesh fills Velas' nose as his attack is successful.
Quintessa continues to cautiously approach, sending another barrage of metallic objects flashing forward past her allies towards an enemy combatant.
◈Stride
◈◈
Thorn River Bandit Camp - Round 2 - continued
Courageous Anthem active, until Teela's turn
24 Graham (24/30hp remaining)
20 Alvis (15' south of Faen)
19 Green Bandit
18 Velas (25/28hp remaining)
13 Teela (mounted)
12 Quintessa (35' south of Teela)
11 Yellow Bandit
9 Kressle (16hp dmg, frightened 1)
8 Faen
8 Blue Bandit
3 Purple Bandit
Quintessa keeps slowly moving forward, passing the slower-moving Alvis, and then unleashes a barrage of metal shards the simply eviscerate Purple Bandit, shredding the flesh as if it were paper. Purple Bandit dies.
Yellow Bandit nocks and fires twice at Teela, even though the distance is just a little out of easy range. Neither shot fired by the bandit above in the platform comes anywhere close to the target, and he curses aloud at his poor marksmanship.
Adjacent to Velas now, the seared and frightened Kressle, the bandit leader, swings on him with both her hand axes in a fell flurry. The first swing is wide, but the second scores a hit right on the weapon hand of Velas. Kressle then disengages from Velas, retreating back closer to her men, and reaching in her belt pouch for a small leather flask.
miss
miss
miss
critical hit
8dmg total
Seeing the woman with the axes retreat from Velas, Faen decides to try out one of the tricks she found in her Mother's book on spells and magick.