Cale pulls the amulet from the pile of loot. It had a distinct, stag-like shape to it. "This have anything to do with your boss?" Cale has no problem with burying the bandits in a mass grave. "Yes, strip. The cold is no concern of mine. Warm yourself with the thought of how much colder a grave would be. Oleg, he will have to stay here. I'll not have such a liability with us, especially if we were to attempt any sort of subterfuge where he could give us away. Could he be locked in the center storage area? If you can lock that from the outside and give him something to eat for the night, you wouldn't have to deal with him until we were returned." To Greehr's suggestion, "I would hesitate to involve these people any further. To wait and have them lay siege would be unacceptable, as they would have time to gather reinforcements. I think a tactical strike from within may be our best tactic to utterly annihilate them."
Reluctantly, Calvin strips to his longjohns, although it is currently about 30 degrees outside. He then huddles on the floor, his knees tight to his chest, in a vain attempt to keep warm. When shown the stag amulet, he responds with disdain: "T-t-that is given to the stag leader's lieutenants, commanders, whatever you call them in the field. You must have gotten that off of Happs, we always thought he was incompetent and never deserved one of those. Now he's proven it. Look, you bastards, I'm freezing my ass off, put me in the house, the stable, the storage area, the outhouse, I don't give a damn, just get me out of this cold!"
"I just don't know that charging into a situation that we know very little about is the best plan. I know that right now we have the element of surprise, but blindly attacking them in their home seems like it may be a recipe for disaster. I canna imagine that they would send their entire group to chase after these five. Rather I expect they will leave some to guard their valuables at their base camp." Strovan gets a thoughtful look on his face. "The boy says there are multiple bands of bandits in these lands is there any way we could move the bodies to another location with some empty sacks from Oleg's to make it look as if they were ambushed on their way back and the loot stolen by other bandits?"
He then turns to the bandit. "Shut yer trap boy and thank ye lucky stars you are alive."
"That's a stupid idea, dwarf. We all operate under the Stag guy's banner, there are no renegade bandits!" Calvin looks with anger at Strovan.
Cale grows angry at the mutiny suddenly facing him. Wasn't it my idea to pull off this ambush? Didn't it work perfectly? And now they want to hide like ninnies for gods know how long? "Fine. Do whatever you all think is best. Let's take a holiday and stay here, eating Oleg and Lana's food while we wait for them to come to us." He grabs the captive by the arm in an iron grip and marches him to the storage area then hurls him inside. If there are any supplies in the storage, Cale will move them all out, using the work as a way to ride out the tantrum.
"That's a stupid idea, dwarf. We all operate under the Stag guy's banner, there are no renegade bandits!" Calvin looks with anger at Strovan.
"Interesting." Greehr noted, heedless of the young Surtova's outburst. "These bandits are far more organized than I assumed, led by this..Stag Man. And now we've killed one of his lieutenants. News would get around, of course, that they disappeared after heading here.." He trails off, deep in thought.
"But we've been working on assumptions this entire time, haven't we?" Greehr continued. "The lieutenant is dead, and the only living bandit knows nothing, and we need more more than dead or nothing."
Silstaren doesn't like the way this is going. He thinks Cale is letting it get away from him. "We should hit them as soon as possible. We can scout their camp and decide whether or not to pick some off as they leave or to charge the place. "
"Calvin, we'll get you somewhere warmer when you've given us something we can use. Where is the camp and what defenses do you keep there?"
Strovan leans against the side of the building lost in thought for a second. I hope winning the battle hasn't cost us the war. The fact we have a fixed location we have to defend in addition to needing to go forth and root them out makes this a lot trickier. I wonder if the lad is right maybe recklessness is the right move.
"I think there is a chance that Cale is right, if we move right now we have the initiative in this battle. But we need more information, boy, we need exact directions to your camp, and landmarks that we can recognize that will warn us when we are getting close. Also do ye keep a lookout and if so where are they placed?"
He then pulls the members of the group that are still outside and whispers to them. "I still dinna know if I entirely trust this bandit he still seems proud of his group which makes me think that he will try to hold information back. But regardless while we still have surprise on our side I think we should at least spy on their camp to see if an assault would be feasible."
...
"I think there is a chance that Cale is right, if we move right now we have the initiative in this battle. But we need more information, boy, we need exact directions to your camp, and landmarks that we can recognize that will warn us when we are getting close. Also do ye keep a lookout and if so where are they placed?"
He then pulls the members of the group that are still outside and whispers to them. "I still dinna know if I entirely trust this bandit he still seems proud of his group which makes me think that he will try to hold information back. But regardless while we still have surprise on our side I think we should at least spy on their camp to see if an assault would be feasible."
Silstaren nods in agreement with Strovan.
"Well said," Garyn muses, agreeing with the dwarf, "though this bloke won't hold back if he knows what's good for him." Garyn idly pulls out his deck, shuffling and fiddling with cards in what amounts to a nervous tick.
All right, he thinks to himself, looking at the captive bandit, kings I go easy, fools I let this bastard have it. He casually flips the top card over, revealing the Seven of Kings. Bah...I was looking forward to some shouting and carrying-on. Ah, well, I trust Strovan. I'm just itching to do something. Strike while the iron is hot and all that.
Garyn shrugs, then continues to stare down Calvin, waiting for the brigand to share what he knows.
Cale takes a moment to calm himself, breathing out his frustration. This behavior is unbecoming. They won't always agree, but I will have to work harder to make them see what is right. He walks back to the party. "Forgive my outburst, friends. I would like to say again that we form a plan of action. I think this," he nudges Calvin's huddled, shivering form with his boot, "is tapped out. Let's go forward with a compromised plan. Garyn, if you would be so kind, tie Happs' corpse to the extra horse, with the idea in mind that we don't his condition to be known until it is too late. We'll ride to a point then wait and scout the area before we make a decision to attack." Proceeding as if it had already been agreed upon, Cale pulls Happs' corpse out of the pile and loops the stag-amulet back around his neck. He buckles the man's sword back onto his belt, and takes one of the spare bows and lashes it to the corpse's back. He then does his best to huddle the dead man up in his cloak, trying to hide his wounds as best as possible.
Greehr wrinkles his nose in distaste. "They'll smell that stink in no time." He mutters, once Cale is out of earshot. "I don't like it, but if you all insist it, then I suppose we should. But if we're going to sneak in, I can brew a few potions to disguise your features for a short while. If I have the time, materials and money to do so." He says, looking at his other comrades.
Calvin sits huddled, his back against the wooden plank of the storage shed. "Directions to the camp, you say? That'd be easy. Follow our horses' trail east into the woods, you can't be missin' 'em, we took no care to hide 'em. Did not expect to find you here after all! Then head south to the Thorn River, then follow its bank to our campsite, a stone's throw from the river's north bank. That's all you're gettin' from me, you want more information about the camp, such as special surprises, then give me a damn blanket and I'll spill my guts. Those bastards ain't makin' no rescue attempt for me, so I owe 'em nothin'. The way they see it, less people the better, less people to split any loot. So you get me a blanket and I'll tell ya more stuff, good stuff." He shivers loudly and goes back to huddling in the corner. His nose has turned red due to the cold.
Calvin sits huddled, his back against the wooden plank of the storage shed. "Directions to the camp, you say? That'd be easy. Follow our horses' trail east into the woods, you can't be missin' 'em, we took no care to hide 'em. Did not expect to find you here after all! Then head south to the Thorn River, then follow its bank to our campsite, a stone's throw from the river's north bank. That's all you're gettin' from me, you want more information about the camp, such as special surprises, then give me a damn blanket and I'll spill my guts. Those bastards ain't makin' no rescue attempt for me, so I owe 'em nothin'. The way they see it, less people the better, less people to split any loot. So you get me a blanket and I'll tell ya more stuff, good stuff." He shivers loudly and goes back to huddling in the corner. His nose has turned red due to the cold.
"Bah, yer such a sugar-arse. I've spent the night with colder women than the weather is now," Garyn snorts. Still, he gets his winter blanket from his belongings and tosses it to the bandit. "Ye ain't no good to us if we can't make out what yer saying through yer chattering teeth. Ye better not get any blood or lice on it. It's me favorite blanket."
This is going to right piss off Cale, he thinks, but if I can avoid walking in to this camp blind I'll take a tongue lashing over a thrust to the gut any day.
Calvin grabs the blanket as it were a prized possession and immediately wraps himself with it, seeking some relief from the cold. "Thank ye, archer, thanks a whole heap. Ok, about the camp. That Kressle is very sneaky, she had us built wooden platforms some 20 feet in the trees on both the east and west side of the camp. A man up there easily has a good view of the road and anyone trying to approach the camp. Kressle has one man stationed on each at all times, taking shifts. They reach the platforms by means of a rope ladder. And they are alert as hell. Kressle once caught a man sleeping up there, she cut his hands off, one at a time, and then chopped his head off for all of us to see. That's one mean bi*ch! Anyways, whenever I was up there, I was given some weird looking smooth stone to hold and in case of attack, I was told to throw it to the ground. Never had to personally use it but that's what I was told. The eastern platform is the nearest to the clearing where the men retire to sleep, when not on guard duty. Two men shifts patrol the camp on the ground. What else? I think that's it. Kressle sleeps in a fancy tent in the middle of the clearing, everyone else in sleeping bags, unless it's raining, then they sleep under the trees. Well, that's all I know, I think I earned the blanket for the night, yes? If it's your favorite, archer, could you spare another one?"
"Talkative little bugger isn't he?" Greehr remarked. "The stone is a thunderstone. Sure to alert everyone of an attack if we're seen. I'd suggest killing the guard before he could drop it, but being a corpse, there's a chance it'll still fall."
Then, turning to the shivering thief, "When does this Kressle expect you to return? We might have more time in our hands to prepare."
The elven ranger is glad the talk has turned to more aggressive tactics but his face remains impassive as he stands thinking things over. Nine, no Kressle is worth three, make that elven against five. We need to even the odds somehow first. If we can isolate a few in the woods, two smaller fights rather than one big one would be to our advantage. Looking at Strovan and Greehr he has a few ideas.
He asks Calvin, "Are the bandits all human?"
He also asks the alchemist, "Greehr, how many of those bombs can you make? If we were all armed with one or two, it would be a great advantage."
"I think they would be able to see through any subterfuge with a dead body, not to mention the fact that I look nothing like any of the bandits. I Silstaren, you and Garyn are going to play the major part in this plan I think."
"Calvin is there any regular time that maybe a group of bandits leaves the camp for something, say to get more water, or check hunting traps?"
Garyn looks dubiously at Cale as the man starts redress the corpse of Happs.
"I'm all for hitting them hard and fast, and doing it soon, but I think we need to divide and conquer. I think these bastards would have to be as blind as they are stupid to fall for a dead, floppy man tied to a horse. I'm on Strovan's side. And aye, the elf and me I think can hurt them before they know they're hurt." Garyn looks to Calvin. "Ye know, I can take the damn blanket back if ye don't give us more than what ye have so far."
Still they doubted him. Pausing so as not to get frustrated once more, Cale gives in. "Fair enough. Guerilla warfare it is, then."
Then, turning to the shivering thief, "When does this Kressle expect you to return? We might have more time in our hands to prepare."
Wrapping himself in the blanket even tighter, Calvin says, "We were expected back in 2 days' time, so tomorrow by 6pm."
He asks Calvin, "Are the bandits all human?"
Calvin smiles, "Of course, unless you see any elves and dwarves prancing around here that I don't."
"Calvin is there any regular time that maybe a group of bandits leaves the camp for something, say to get more water, or check hunting traps?"
"My dear dwarf, the river's a stone's throw away so water is not an issue. Checking traps, yeah, twice a day, before breakfast and before supper. Beren, he used to be a huntsman, he and whoever else is not too tired go and bring the spoils for the day. He's a good hunter, he catches venison usually, he even caught us a boar once."
Calvin appears very sincere to Strovan.
"Now, that I've been sooooo helpful, in addition to the blanket, can I get some breakfast? I'm famished, all I had to eat last night were some berries." Calvin looks hopeful for a positive response.
Garyn looks sheepishly at the other men. "Uh, usually I don't have any issues, but can anyone give me a hand? Ye never are supposed to leave a bow strung 'less ye're gonna be using it, and uh...I can't seem to, uh...well, I don't think I'm strong enough to unstring this one."
It figures, I can put an arrow through the neck of a bloody bandit running away on a horse, but I can't unstring this bow. This is embarassing...
It figures, I can put an arrow through the neck of a bloody bandit running away on a horse, but I can't unstring this bow. This is embarassing...
"Ahhh so we have a day longer than I first guessed. This truly is good news. Twill allow myself, to change my spells, and perhaps let our friend Greehr brew up something equally spectacular as today's fireworks were.
Strovan turns to Oleg. "Good sir do you still have any special supplies that you might have hidden from these bandits? Maybe something we could use against them. If they be expensive I promise if you give us time we will repay you for their cost. Anything that might give us the edge in this upcoming fight."
Looking back at the group. "Well I don't know that any spells I have would be great at taking down a camp full of bandits, but when push comes to shove I have a spell or two that might help neutralize their leader, but I will need a nights rest before it tis available."
It figures, I can put an arrow through the neck of a bloody bandit running away on a horse, but I can't unstring this bow. This is embarassing...** spoiler omitted **
Garyn keeps fiddling with the bow, finally unstringing it.
"Oh so that's how I unhook the doo-dad. Gah, this is a nice bow, but ye'd figure I'd be smart enough to figure it out. I got it now." He turns away from the group to hide his rapidly reddening face.
He also asks the alchemist, "Greehr, how many of those bombs can you make? If we were all armed with one or two, it would be a great advantage."
"It won't work." Greehr shook his head. "Everything I make is keyed off to my own magic signature. In anyone else's hands, the bombs will just fizzle out. Requires a bit of me to really explode. Picked up a couple of these though, you might want it." He said as he pulled out one of the small vials of Alchemist's Fire from his pack. "I can't make any more of these without the proper equipment."
"I can start making potions over the night to disguise the more conspicuous of us," He continues, looking at Strovan. "It might be enough to keep suspicion off of us until we can get close enough to camp, however you make of it."
** spoiler omitted **
"It won't work." ... He said as he pulled out one of the small vials of Alchemist's Fire from his pack. "I can't make any more of these without the proper equipment."
"I can start making potions .... It might be enough to keep suspicion off of us until we can get close enough to camp, however you make of it."
Silstaren takes one of the vials and holds it at level level to examine it. "I've heard of Alchemist's Fire, but never seen it myself. Will this work as well as your bomb?"
"Not even close." Greehr sniffed, affronted by the mere comparison. "But it should work for our purposes."
"I say we set out first thing, and hit these bastards where it hurts," Garyn remarks. "The stealthier of us can approach, see what we're up against, and if it looks like we can get the drop on them we attack. I can take the one in the tower, or towers as the case may be."
"Anything else we add will just make things even more in our favor."
The captive was getting lippy, and Cale was once again starting to warm to the idea of either branding or maiming the wretch. It would have to wait until after the assault, when they knew whether or not the information he gave was good. Cale was interested in this Greehr fellow. At first, he dismissed him as some scholar or magic-user from House Lebeda sent to suck some of the glory from his expedition, but now he wasn't so sure. The man didn't seem to be the type to follow the orders of anyone, or to have anything resembling an agenda. Maybe the man was just along for something new. It was a quality Cale could relate to. While the others were talking, he made his way to Oleg. "Oleg, my man there has requested an alchemist's lab. For something like that, how long would it take for it to arrive if we special-ordered it?"
Oleg smiles, "Me friend, I be havin' no need for bombs and fire potions, probably burn me place down if I did. I'll order ye man one, as soon as a trapper stops by on his way to Restov, but it'll take no less than 2 weeks. Restov is pretty far out, ain't it now? At least, I see a plan's coming together to deal with that scum...make those bandits suffer, good sir!"
"So then it is agreed we head out first thing tomorrow morn? And when we get there we are trying to divide and conquer possibly take a few out before they know we are there and hopefully hit them unawares? Sounds like a solid plan ta me."
He looks over at the captive glares a little and says. "I've got no more use for the wretch, but if either of you two" pointing at Garyn and Silstaren, "have more questions feel free to keep interrogating. I for one am going to rest in preparation for tomorrow. Oh one last thing, I have the ability to enlarge a single person for about a minute, would that be helpful to anyone, because I usually don't bother with it."
Cale shrugs and decides to spend some time digging that mass grave. The ordeal should take up a good portion of the day. When he's finished, he spends the rest of the time relaxing, waiting for his companions to either decide that they're ready to go, or go to sleep.
Greehr takes an hour or so inspecting the worn out fortifications and catapults. Afterwards, he begins brewing a replacement mutagen and bomb from his meager stores.
Silstaren looks down at the blanket-wrapped bandit.
"Calvin, how long is the journey back to your camp? And which way do we turn when we reach the Thorn River?"
***
Silstaren will help Cale with the graves. Depending on how frozen the ground is, and the availability of rocks, he might suggest cairns near the forest instead of graves.
Garyn aids in the grim task of burying the dead. Afterwards, he practices his archery, helps Oleg with any tasks, takes Barley out for another ride around the environs of the trading post, and discusses tactics with the group.
As Calvin stated that it was almost a full day's ride to the camp, Garyn suggests getting an early start, scouting the camp at dusk, and attacking after many of the bandits have gone to sleep if picking off a few here and there is impossible.
"Calvin, how long is the journey back to your camp? And which way do we turn when we reach the Thorn River?"
Calvin looks up, shivering. "Takes us almost a day to get here on horseback with the usual stops to eat and relieve oneself. And we didn't have no dwarf, so I don't know how long it will take you. Head south when you hit the river."
The ground is covered with snow and though not frozen, makes digging take twice as long. Cairns are possible, as there are rocks aplenty.
Cale doesn't care whether they build cairns or dig graves. Whatever gets the job done. "We'll set out in the morning, then, and hope that they keep banker's hours." Put out by the overwhelming caution the group was displaying, Cale kept quiet, biding the time until the group set out to attack the bandits.
This is a quick and dirty way of splitting the loot. Let me know if anyone objects!