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Hi guys. So just as I said I was going to be back, tragedy struck again. For those in the U.S., I'm not sure if you heard about the small plane crash in Illinois right after the NCAA tournament, but one of the individuals flying it was a long time family friend and another was the cousin of one of my best friends. Needless to say it's been a rough April for me thus far. My apologies for all the delays.
Hi guys. So just as I said I was going to be back, tragedy struck again. For those in the U.S., I'm not sure if you heard about the small plane crash in Illinois right after the NCAA tournament, but one of the individuals flying it was a long time family friend and another was the cousin of one of my best friends. Needless to say it's been a rough April for me thus far. My apologies for all the delays.
Hi guys. So just as I said I was going to be back, tragedy struck again. For those in the U.S., I'm not sure if you heard about the small plane crash in Illinois right after the NCAA tournament, but one of the individuals flying it was a long time family friend and another was the cousin of one of my best friends. Needless to say it's been a rough April for me thus far. My apologies for all the delays.
Kern Each had a shortsword and a shortbow with a quiver of 20 arrows with a pewter stag amulet, they were wearing leather armor. The leader had a masterwork longbow wiht 40 arrows and a silver stag amulet, he was wearing studded leather. They also all had coin purses with the equivalent of 2 gold each in them. I would guess you allowed the collaborators to either keep their weapons or their gold, but not both.
The hex marked with a K is the approximate location of Kestrel's camp. It will take a day to ride straight through a hex, 1/2 if your push (meaning you all have to make CON saves 10+Days you've pushed or be fatigued), it will take 2 days to explore a hex to make a map entry. 1 Day with a DC 25 survival check (it can be aided). Where do you guys want to go?
You sleep and look over the map. It seems to be a few days ride. Sir Nikolai reminds you of the charter, and that since it will be on your way it wouldn't hurt to survey the surrounding area as you approach. Oleg provides you with enough rations to last a week and informs you of a message he's sent north, informing his trade partners that his outpost is once again open for business. He hopes a caravan will have arrived by the time you return. [big]MAP[/big]
"The camps just a clearing in the woods. There's a deep creek that runs through the middle of the clearing, providing Kestrel a natural fortification. She's got a tree stand on the western clearing and then another tree stand in the lone tree in the middle of the clearing. There's a clearing to the east as well that provides a second entry point." He proceeds to draw you a map of the site.
"The deal was we left for info into Kestrel's camp. We aren't going to be your human shields against her. We'll have before that." The bandit responds to suggestions of taking them with you. "In terms of watch, depends. Kestrel don't want nobody sleeping on watch, so she tells ya to tap out when you're tired."
"Kestrel won't miss us for least four days. Even then she knows she won't have da numbers ta assault Oleg's if he 'ad enough men to take on da seven of us," The thug replies. "She's only got another six men with her at da camp in da woods, and while she's violent and vicious, she's ain't stupid." He then proceeds to draw you a crude map in the dirt. His comrade mentions the two look out posts on the edges of the camp and the snitch marks their location. "Sumbody's always on watch. Kestrel makes sure of it. Woe be ta those who sleep on Kestrel's watch. Theys probably better armed than us. Some scale mail, mebbe a solid wood shield. But Kestrel, she's not one fer defense, you be watchin' those axes of hers er she'll take yer 'ead off." Based on the map, with a DC 15 Survival Check, you're fairly certain you could arrive at Kestrel's camp in a day, if you left in the morning.
"I only know one thing to do with these bandits," Oleg says, tying a not in a rope. Svetlana solemnly shakes her head, "I'm sorry I don't have any experience in these matters, though I dislike violence if avoidable." One of the Bandits speaks up. "If you promise not to kill me and me mate, and grant us safe passage away from here, I will tell you were Kestrel's lair is."
Brok misses with his attack, but Kern's magic missile drops the leader, who lies on the ground bleeding out. The remaining thugs drop their weapons at the realization they're outnumbered and surrender. Combat over. Ser Nikolai signals to Oleg who brings rope to bind the remaining villains, then turns to the party. "How should we deal with them?"
Ser Nikolai rushes out toward the closest bandit attacking Brok. His ornate Aldori dueling sword whistles through the air.
And slices cleanly through the bandits throat. Blood sprays as the bandit grabs at his neck and falls to the ground. The Bandit nearest Brok and Ser Nikolai attacks . Missing the wounded Dragoon. Another Bandit rushes toward Ser Nikolai But just misses the nimble Knight. The leader draws another arrow and fires at Kern. But the arrow sails wide. The thug battling with Buddra attacks back. But the monk is too swift and ducks the swing. Party up.
"Warn Kessel!" The leader shouts, drawing his bow. He takes a shot at Brok on his horse. Hits Brok takes 5 damage and the leader moves away from his thugs. The thugs lifting the wagon all draw swords. Two of the thugs charge Brok and attack him wtih Short Swords. Hit
One thug moves to cut off Buddra and attacks. Threatens
While another thug attacks Kern. hit
And the last thug runs for his life squeezing out the rapidly closing gate. Grim recognizes him as the thug who took his first arrow. Party up.
Fortunately, I just use a Take 10 rule for bad guys perception. So you get a surprise Kern. I'll count surprise round as 1 round for the close. Initiatives - The thugs will go in three groups. The two taking the horses to well, the 6 helping the Leader lift the wagon and the Leader. Thugs watering horses
Thugs Lifting Wagon
Leader
Party
The party gets the surprise round then the thugs and their leader will act. Remember you get a move or a Standard. You can make a partial charge in the Surprise round. Up to 1 movement action and an attack. Ser Nikolai swings open the door and Brok rides out at the thugs holding the reigns. Hit. I'm going to Retconn Brok having a lance, because I don't think he realized you have to roll a ride check to swing a bardiche from horseback.
The mighty charge pierces the bandit holding the reigns of the horse through the chest, killing him instantly. The other thug in shock lets go of the reigns of the horses he was holding and the 8 horses rush away from Brok toward the North west corner. "An ambush. Oleg, you're a dead man!" The Leader shouts. The rest of the party is up. 7 total bandits remaining.
Night falls and the watch begins. Svetlana and Oleg also take turns keeping the horses up and provide a bit of coffee for those on watch. The party is able to get a full eight hours and prepare any spells they can the next morning. Brok and Kern take a barrel of grease that Svetlana had saved from the cooking of the Elk meat. They disassemble the gate and grease the hinges and then reassemble the gate. It's not perfect, but it's functional and with a DC 15 STR check can be closed as a full round action. Otherwise it will take two rounds. The party prepares for the ambush with the wagon. Taking the wheel off the wagon and letting it sit off kilter close enough to the gate that Kern can reach it from the back of the wagon. At noon, Oleg gives Svetlana a single horse and sends her out two miles due north with instructions to ride for Brevoy if no one comes for her by nightfall. Brok, makes a slight change to the plan and mounts his horse inside the stables. His handle animal skill allows him to keep the animal silent. Ser Nikolai stands ready to swing the door wide open for Brok to charge into the courtyard, allowing the Dragoon the opportunity for one powerful mounted charge, before the close quarters of the outpost will leave his Horse without maneuverability, to bring the force of a charge to bare on any other opponent. Grimjaw prepares in the balcony, his bow drawn. While the rest of the party prepares for battle. [spoiler=Map]Map is up at top of page. You'll have the ability to manipulate your characters. I'm using your image as your tokens. Position yourself.[/map] At about an hour after noon, you see 8 riders appear on the southern horizon. More than Nikolai expected, but not too many to abandon the plan. As they get close, Oleg steps into the gateway. "Yer going to have to come into the outpost t'day. Wagon's broke and I can't get the wheel on without some help! He shouts. "Then it's going to cost you fer our labor, you weakling," The lead rider shouts back, to laughs and howls of his companions. "Maybe we can take some time with his pretty wife for our trouble, eh boss?" A thug responds which elicits more howls. "Not a bad idea, where is that sweetling of a wife of yers Oleg. I'd rather look at her than yer ugly mug." The leader shouts back. "Left me," Oleg lies. "That's a shame, well we'll figure out some other payment then I guess." All 8 riders enter the tradepost and dismount. "Jimmy, go water the horses. The rest of ya, help me lift the wagon." I need Stealth Rolls from anyone not in a building.
Blinking Eye of the Abyss:
Blinking Eye of the Abyss aura strong divination; CL 9th Slot shield; Price 72,000 gp; Weight 2 ½ lbs Description
Construction
This was actually the item I wanted to submit at the price I wanted to submit, but I couldn't make the pricing work. It should be over 100k according to the rules. And I thought that was way too much to get anyone to buy it. Oh well.
It takes Grimjaw most of the afternoon to return and the rest of the party most of the afternoon to stop quibbling over the plan. Ser Nikolai tables the party as Svetlana takes the choicest cuts of the elk to prepare a great roast for the evening meal. The evening meal is incredible. Reminiscent of feasts of legends, Grimjaw's elk was young and tender. And the ranger found some wild herbs and vegetables that made an aromatic side when roasted with the elk. There was no ale, as Oleg said, however he did find a small cask of wine, kept over from when he and Svetlana were married. Not enough for the 8 of you to get drunk on, but enough to eat, drink and be merry. Brok and Kern discuss the gate. It would need to be removed from it's hinges, cleaned and then greased to operate again. With a little luck and the party working together the gate could be completed in a few hours in the morning. Grimjaw/Brok:
Your knowledge of animals, particularly horses for Brok, lead you toe believe that if you kept the animals up during the evening, they would sleep during the day, giving you a way to keep the animals quiet. However, if you didn't do this in shifts and only one of the party did it, that person would be fatigued the next day. Additionally, the horses would be fatigued the next day as well and poor help in a chase. After the meal, Nikolai thanks Oleg and Svetlana for their hospitality and then excuses himself and the party to the bunkhouse. There he has a great table set up with a rough map of the Greenlands, clearly needing your surveys to complete. "I will not presume to command you yet, I've neither proven myself to you nor have you sworn any fealty to me. But the matter of tomorrow's meeting with the bandits looms large and we have no plan. I have heard you all present your thoughts. And believe you have three ideas with merit. The ambush here at Oleg's. The feigned cooperation, scouting their base and assaulting it. And poisoning the bandits. I'm uncertain if any of you have any abilities in poisoning, so that idea may be null. As such, I propose that the five of you vote now on your favored plan and agree to acquiesce to the majority. So what say you: Ambush or Assault?"
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