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Granted a charter by the the Swordlords in the city of Restov the five adventurers have been traveling south from the city for three days. The charter they were given states the following.
"Be it so known that the bearer of this charter has been charged by the Swordlords of Restov, acting upon the greater good and authority vested within them by the office of the Regent of the Dragonscale Throne, has granted the right of exploration and travel within the wilderness region known as the Greenbelt. Exploration should be limited to an area no further than thirty-six miles east and west and sixty miles south of Oleg’s Trading Post. The carrier of this charter should also strive against banditry and other unlawful behavior to be encountered. The punishment for unrepentant banditry remains, as always, execution by sword or rope. So witnessed on this 24th day of Calistril, under watchful eye of the Lordship of Restov and authority granted by Lord Noleski Surtova, current Regent of the Dragonscale Throne."
Today your group hopes to arrive at Oleg's Trading Post, the last outpost of civilization before the open wilderness of the Greenbelt. The terrain is rugged with moderately dense woodlands to either side of the southern road. Patches of snow sit under some of the trees and the air carries the crisp chill of winter. The road itself is muddy and the going difficult.
Eventually, as the late after noon begins to throw a gloom over the woodland road the travelers spot the outpost ahead of them through the trees. From back here all you can see is the wooden palisade that surrounds the outpost and the old, rundown, towers that still contain the defensive catapults that have become broken and useless thanks to exposure to the weather and a lack of maintenance for years.
Currently Explored Stolen Lands
Oleg's Trading Post
Key to Oleg's
A1. Market Yard
A2. Guesthouse
A3. Stable
A4. Storage Pen
A5. Middens
A6. Main Hall
A7. Dining Room
A8. Office
A9. Stockroom
A10. Storeroom
A11. Bedroom
Sigurd Mjornson, a large Ulfen man, stops for a moment in the road an inhales deeply, releasing a deep sigh of contentment as the wild air of the Greenbelt fills his nostrils. Plucking an unruly strand of dirty-blond hair from his face, he looks eagerly towards the trading post.
"Back home at last," he whispers as he shoulders his longbow. Looking back to the party, his face spreads into a wide grin. "Fresh air, rolling green terrain, roughing it on the fringes of civilization. This is the life, eh? Come, lets go greet our new hosts!"
Pavel trudges along with Sigurd, a broad shouldered and dense Rostlander swathed in a heavy green cloak. Grinning, he turns to Jonas behind him.
"H'hey Jonas, g'get a look at that! Th'there's that lu'luxury inn you wished for la'last night!"
Jonas sits uncomfortably in the saddle of his horse the seemingly boundless enthusiasm no longer apparent as his concentration is focused on the muddy road just in front of him, when the sound of of his name draws his attention to the speaker then to where he is pointing That is the trading post! The shock apparent in his voice. Taking a breath and trying to collect himself he continues in a more conversational tone. I mean it seems a little run down, are we sure anyone still lives here? I would think sturdy walls and working defenses would be a priority so close to the wilds. Not that I am complaining almost anything would be better then sleeping on the ground.
The raven perched on Jonas's hat seems to come alive and while flapping its wings starts to squawk Run down. Run down. All run down.
"You'll find few luxuries out here, Jonas," Sigurd grunts, "But you'll learn to appreciate the rustic charm in time. As for the defenses, I think that's why we're here, isn't it?"
Don't get me wrong Sigurd I appreciate the beauty of the out doors and I am looking forward to exploring; its just well not what I pictured in my head. nodding towards the weathered defenses It seems that will have to be one of our first tasks. I just hope the bandits haven't taken the place already. dismounting from his horse Jonas takes the reins into hand we should make our way to the trading post
With an irritated sigh Elanora half-heartedly swatted at a fly that had once again found itself trapped in her cowl. Living an outcasts’ life in the wilds, she had grown accustomed to much of what Nature could throw at her. Flies, on the other hand...
“Make the most it,” Elanora piped up from the rear of the group. “Who knows when we’ll next sleep comfortably on a soft bed?”
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Oleg's Trading Post is a small run down fort that stands besides the road on the way south its walls rough and defenses rundown. As you get close you can hear the sound of a hammer striking wood and once you enter the gateway you can see a man, presumably Oleg, on the roof of one of the buildings hammering away at the roof.
Spotting your party a young woman, her blond hair tied down under a bandanna, comes out of the building and waves your party over.
Sigurd offers the woman a curt nod, but then looks to the rest of his group as he steps back, hoping someone else will step forward and make introductions.
in a hushed voice If you would be so kind as to roost somewhere else Pip we should try to make a good impression after all the raven takes off from Jonas's hat circles once making a unflattering noise as he passes phleeeet before moving past the gates and into Oleg's trading post. Jonas takes off his hat checking it for anything unsavory before setting it with his saddle and moving towards the gates himself a warm smile on his face. Greetings miss I am Jonas El'Adan
These are my traveling companions Sigurd Mjornson, Elanora Krupp, Pavel and Simon Bornen gesturing to each as he names them.
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"Svetlana Leveton, the man on the roof is my husband Oleg, am I glad to see you, the bandits are due to come for their thieving in the morning" the woman replies motioning the group towards a long table with seating benches "but before I go on about that, please have a seat, I have prepared a stew".
Sigurd raises a bushy brow as a sits down at the table. "Just how strong is the bandit presence here in the Greenbelt? Not that we won't deal with them, but I hadn't expected them to be waiting to greet us on our first morning."
Thank you Svetlana Stew sounds wonderful. ponders how organized and powerful the bandits must be if they keep a time schedule with their marks
"Guardsmen?" Sigurd asks blinking. "I'm afraid not, good lady. We are here at the behest of the Swordlord, sent to explore and reclaim the Stolen Lands. However..." he unsheathes a broad dagger and carefully tests the edge with his thumb. "Tell us more about these guards, and the bandit problem they were meant to deal with. We may be able to help."
Taking a seat at one of the long tables Jonas shakes his head negatively to Svetlana's question No I am sorry we aren't, however we are chartered with the pacification of these lands to include banditry.
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"Well don't let my husband hear me tell you this but for the last three months bandits have been raiding us on the first dawn of each new month. We sent word to Restlov requesting aid and we'd heard that a group of guardsmen had been dispatched to help protect this trading post." Svetlana pauses and straightens, crossing her arms across her chest "I thought you were these guardsmen, you're still welcome to stay though if you'd like to help".
you and your husband are all alone in this out post? That shocks me I would think that the swordlord's would have patrols passing through regularly at the very least. Jonas looks around to see where Pip has perched.
"That's frontier life, lad," Sigurd jibes as he turns to Svetlana, a stony scowl crossing over his face. "We'll help," he promises with grim determination. "Old Deadeye isn't one to suffer such predations, and neither am I. Let's just hope that these guardsmen haven't fallen prey to the scoundrels... For now, tell us everything you can about these brigands. They first approached you three months ago, you say?"
Yes please tell us more of the bandits their numbers and armaments would be important as well as any defenses that your trading post has
Pavel sits quietly and listens, eating quickly to ensure he can get a second helping if it's forthcoming.
"Ex'extortion, right? Th'they just come in an'and take your mo'money, th'threaten a little and leave?"
Jonas starts to dig into the stew enjoying its warmth and flavor as he waits for Svetlana to answer the questions asked.
Meanwhile Pip moves towards the interesting human hammering away at the roof.
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"You've gotten the jist of it sir" Svetlana answers indicating Pavel.
"The first time the bandits visited, there were a dozen of them, ten seemed to be low ranking thugs led by a cloaked man armed with a bow, and a woman who carried two small hatchets. The woman did the majority of the talking on that first trip, and her dark humor and the way she smiled when she spoke of what fate awaited me if we didn’t comply." Svetlana pauses and shudders "The woman also seemed to be particularly sharp and observant, whereas the man seemed to be a bit more crude and foolish."
"This, plus the fact that the woman quite nearly lopped off Oleg’s right hand with one of her hatchets in a cruel bit of mockery, convinced me that she was the most dangerous of the bandits." Svetlana stops for a moment and continues once again "As it was, the woman stole my wedding ring from my hand and tossed it to one of her men as payment for “not shortening my husbands reach.”
"On the second and third visit, only the crude hooded man accompanied the bandits. The second visit, he came with only six other men, while on the third he only came with four." Svetlana finally finishes the tale of woe as she ladles stew into simple wooden bowls and hands out wooden spoons.
"As to our defenses" she says nodding towards Jonas "Only these walls protect us from the wilderness, the towers and the catapults they hold are too old to serve still, especially against a small band of brigands".
I am sorry to hear of the terrible troubles you have had to go through these past several months Svetlana. We will work to bring these people to justice for you and your husband. Turning to his traveling companions It seems that there is at least 10 in this group of bandits and if they continue as they have in the past we will be facing 4 of them tomorrow. I think those odds are in our favor especially if we use the element surprise. Jonas finishes his stew and goes to his pack and pulls out the chalk board he carries moving back to the table he takes his time and does a workable rendition of the outpost.
Pavel nods, a mean glint of excitement in his eye.
"Th'they're probably ov'overconfident. Getting la'lazy."
Sigurd begins looking alertly around the outpost, formulating a battle plan. "Surprise would be good," he agrees. "Gives a chance to take them all down before they can respond - or escape. I think most of us should hide in that stable over there. If they're as cowardly as most bandits, they may just turn tail and flee if they see us all out here waiting. It needs to like like 'business as usual' for them. Just Oleg and Svetlana out in the yard..."
He frowns as he looks back at Svetlana. "And I suppose one of us could stay out here as well, playing the roll of a weary traveler. Maybe they'll even get excited at the prospect of one more target." Sigurd pauses for a moment before he looks towards the gate, then moves back to Svetlana. "Begging your pardon, good lady, but I was wondering how the gates to this outpost are closed? I'd rather not have any of these dogs fleeing to return to their master's heel."
The towers appear to be sturdy enough to take cover in for an ambush in the fort. That's assuming we allow them the opportunity to even enter. I would propose that if we maintain the numerical advantage we allow them entrance and spring a trap, but if they have the numerical advantage we fall back to barring the doors using the walls as a barrier and killing any that come within arrow range. Jonas points out areas on the chalk map that would appear to provide some cover while maintaining a good field of fire. What ever plan we choose we should protect our hosts. I don't like having Oleg and Svetlana out in the yard I could create a silent image of them as long as the bandits don't interact with it until we can spring the trap it should work to present a business as usual appearance but having one of us in the yard would help to sell it.
"An illusion might not be a bad idea. We're agreed then, that one of us will wait in the yard while the rest of us hide? I can wait atop the wall over the gate. I'll have a good field of fire from up there, and if any of them start to flee... Well, we've got acres of open plains all around, and I've not yet met the man who can outrun an arrow. Think we should take one alive for questioning?"
"I'if we ha'have to. Or if the co'cowards su'surrender. Th'the sp'spell's a good id'idea, J'Jonas, b'but I-I think the ba'bastards will w'want to h'hear some f'fear from th'these nuh'nice folks. Ma'make's 'em fuh'feel big. I'll st'stay cl'close by."
Pavel licks his spoon clean.
"Wa'want to s'see ho'how they like th'the table wh'when it's tur'turned. Th'this i'i'is really g'good st'stew."
I believe that taking at least one of the bandits alive if we can would be prudent unfortunately I don't really have any spells that incapacitates completely but I could concentrate on one individual to keep them from taking any direct action during the fight. I can also cast a spell to make one individual the size of a giant giving them a significant advantage in battle and may help them to subdue one of the bandits there are certain inherit disadvantages to suddenly being made so large it also requires my complete concentration for more then a moments time so there are some trade offs to this tactic.
I believe that taking at least one of the bandits alive if we can would be prudent unfortunately I don't really have any spells that incapacitates completely but I could concentrate on one individual to keep them from taking any direct action during the fight. I can also cast a spell to make one individual the size of a giant giving them a significant advantage in battle and may help them to subdue one of the bandits there are certain inherit disadvantages to suddenly being made so large it also requires my complete concentration for more then a moments time so there are some trade offs to this tactic.
** spoiler omitted **
ooc:
Seeing the concern in Pavel's eyes at the mention of such magic he gives him a warm smile No worries my friend it is only one of many options we have at our disposal such magic works best if the person it affects is ready for the change maybe once we have some more time working together.
"Actually, wouldn't a giant have an easier time simply holding one of these curs? Maybe we could just grab one of them and force him into submission? Or..." Sigurd turns back to Svetlana. "Might you have any fishing nets in your stock?"
Retrieving a piece of stale crusty bread from her pack, Elanora uses it sops up some of the stew’s gravy, chewing on it thoughtfully.
“If they are due tomorrow morning, they could be camped close by" she pauses for a moment, a frown crossing her face “of course, if that were the case, I hope they did not become aware of our arrival.”
Sigurd grunts in agreement. "Maybe we ought to do a bit of scouting tonight."
That is something I hadn't considered hmm. Jonas seems to ponder for a moment working through the problem in his head. He begins to speak seemingly more to himself then the group. Since they only come through once a month it would seem they would be farther off then we would be able to scout at least within the short time we have to expect them. Also wouldn't we have been attacked already we are a good sized group, but our numbers are only half of their known strength and we would certainly be a good target. The horses alone are worth a sizable sum not to mention what our pack animals are carrying in sell able goods. They seem to be extorting our good hosts taking that into consideration I don't believe they would hamper travel through the trading post since it would likely mean people would stop trading here it is in their best interest to keep things running smoothly so profits are good when they come to steal these hard working folks money. Jonas lets out a small sigh. Having said all that if the group still wishes to search the surrounding area I will help as best I can but I am no tracker.
"Oh, don't worry about the tracking, lad. I'm not suggesting we hunt them down in an all out assault, just get an idea for the lay of the land. Though I wouldn't be above picking off a few stragglers..."
Behind the group they heard the sound of someone approaching in the distance. They turned to see a young half-elven soldier riding into Oleg's Trading Post. Quickly dismounting she started to straighten out her clothes before glancing up.
“Hello, you must be the others summoned by the Swordlords. Glad to of finally caught up” she said as she stood up straight. “I’m Celeste Cherenkov”.
Sigurd steps forward, and though he does his best not to appear hostile, his hand does not move far from his knife. "Good evening, Celeste, and welcome. I trust you've been given a similar charter?"
Jonas gets up from the bench and moves towards the new arrival. Hello Celeste I am Jonas El'Adan its nice to meet you.
“Yes I have” She moved her cloak back to reach into a back pocket pulling out the rolled up charter showing it to Sigurd. “Hello Jonas” Celeste smiled before quickly looking to the other person “And you are?”.
Jonas Looks over Sigurd's shoulder to scan the charter as well. looks to be the same charter. I look forward to working with you Celeste we are currently deciding on a coarse of action against the bandits that have been bothering these good folk.
Jonas brings Celeste up to speed on what we have been discussing regarding the bandits once introductions are done.
Sigurd nods as he reads the charter. "Well then, good to have you along? I'm Sigurd Mjornson, hunter, tracker, and when need be priest." He absently fiddles with the bow-shaped pin on his cloak as he speaks. "We were just discussing how best to prepare for a group of bandits that's expecting to arrive with tomorrow's sun. Any suggestion?" He steps to one side and extends a hand to the map that Jonas has scribbled for them.
Elanora places her now empty bowl aside, picking at a piece of meat stuck next to one of her small tusks. “A quick scout of the area might be in order, preferably before nightfall. Otherwise, we could wait until dawn and see exactly what we’re up against.”
Celeste walks over to the map and has a look at it “Well from what I’ve heard so far I think an ambush would be the best bet, and if possible keeping one alive might help us find out more about the area beyond this post too"
Celeste we had a tentative plan using a illusion to lure the bandits into the fort and ambushing them.