Loud enough for the bandits to hear, Tarith will proclaim "This one here should be put t' death. He obviously has no intention of settling down. And I don't like what he's saying 'bout Svetlana." Tarith lifts his axe menacingly at Happs. "Anyone else care t' show off their bravery?"
Davor walks over threateningly to Happs, but his sword is in his sheath with the only weapon out being the dagger strapped to his wrist. He grabs Happs by the throat and leers into Happs' face with his good eye.
"You listen to me you sorry excuse for filth! You tell us everything you know or I will break off your fingers, then your arms and if you continue your insults I'll tear off your sorry excuse for nads so you can't make good on that threat." he makes sure to move his hand to grip Happs' groin tightly to make the threat all the more real and intense then look at the other bandits. "Anyone else want to make one of these threats?"
Holbrecht looks at the two respondants in confusion. "If we can't trust them to work off their crimes, then why would we trust them with weapons and being set free? ...If they would do harm here ....then they would also disregard an exile and come back to do harm ...do we intend to escort each one out of the region.. patrol the wilderness in case they return? I would imagine we would have better control, with a more direct control."
Holbrecht scoffs, "Look at the dog bark, little does he realize that no one fears a toothless mutt."
Caelius believes the threat. He just doesn't care.
To the bandit. "Shut up now the adults are talking.'
You are right Holbrecht. We can't trust them not to lie and not to turn around and head back to their camp if they leave here alive.
But with a bit of help from yourself and the fair agnatha we might find out.
It isn't my trust in their ability to do the right thing that I am counting on Holbrecht it is the fear of reprisal from their boss once they find they have been defeated and forced to talk and the fear of what will happen if we come by them again. Will some risk going back to their boss tail between his legs, maybe but we can make the choice more favorable to leaving. Give them only the cloths on their back and a single day of rations. If they want to find a sturdy branch and delve back into the greenbelt like a mewling babe begging to be eaten rather then turning towards safer civilized lands that would be their problem. I certainly would not take odds on their chance to make it back. Is it a perfect solution certainly not but aside from hanging everyone of them I don't see any other choice. Before we make any final decisions we should see if any of them are repentant enough to do the right thing and give us information about the rest of the bandits in the greenbelt. Ragnor only half listens to the Happs threats to engrossed with the discussion of the bandits final fate.
Sense Motive
Agnatha walks over to Ragnor and Caelius and whispers so that the bandit cannot, hopefully, hear. "We need to isolate one of them. Perhaps throw one in a storeroom so that I can work some magic on him. It doesn't really matter which one. Perhaps the leader would know the most, but he might also be the most likely to resist my charm. I'm trying to figure out where their camp is and how many they left behind, right? Anything else?"
Agnatha walks over to Ragnor and Caelius and whispers so that the bandit cannot, hopefully, hear. "We need to isolate one of them. Perhaps throw one in a storeroom so that I can work some magic on him. It doesn't really matter which one. Perhaps the leader would know the most, but he might also be the most likely to resist my charm. I'm trying to figure out where their camp is and how many they left behind, right? Anything else?"
"Anything at all really. What their leadership is like. Who gives the orders, what odd or special abilities their band might have. Are they associated to the Stag lord we heard about. Most importantly though find out what they would do if we exiled them." Here Caelius's voice trails off in sadness.
Following Agnatha's lead Ragnor speaks at a whisper. If they have a challenge word for recognizing each other when it is dark. If their are any ambush points or traps at their base. How long before they would be missed. That is about all I can think of right now. Ragnor looks over the prisoners considering Lady Agnatha'a question he continues in a whispered tone. I would say take the leader and try to question him Agnatha. If we separate the leader from the rest it may be easier to get the others to talk. We can then approach the information gathering from multiple sides and better our chances of success.
"Fine," Agnatha whispers. Then, loudly: "I'll need two of you fellows to help me dispose of this rubbish." She points at the leader and then adds, in a whisper, "I'll also need one of you to stay with me in the room, or at least nearby. I don't relish being alone with this guy." She leads the leader and whoever volunteers to lug him into one of Oleg's storerooms and casts Charm Person.
Once she casts the spell, Agnatha leans over the leader, stroking his cheek. "Darling," she purrs, "You were telling me about how easy it would be to seize control of your band from that witch, Kressle?"
Ragnor Takes the leader by one of his arms waiting for help from one of the others so they can drag him to his fate with little difficulty.
Holbrecht willingly grabs the other arm, glad the group had come to a decision on what to do with the guy. Though he's not certain what the three humans decided on, he would still like to get some information from the bandit second-in-command first.
"Best to leave our heavy hitters out here with the larger group, in case there's any sign of an uprising." He adds sagely.
Caelius watches the others drag the leader away.
Once they are out of sight he squats down nest to the youngest of the awake captives. He speaks in a low conversational tone.
"So, bit of trouble you got yourself into." "Banditery's not that bad of a profession all in all. Easy money, freedom. I can see it." "Things have changed though. Time to change or die." "I pity your friend in there." "I really do." "That woman, sorceress, and not the ususal friendly kind." "She is two parts dark fey, real dark." "She looks fine now but you do not ever want to meet her by moonlight. Our last night in New Svetlen before coming here she didn't get indoors fast enough. We figure the guy was either hitting on her or trying to mug her. They never found his head and that nice lady in there with your friend did not eat for three days. I counted."
"Like I said things are changing in the stolen lands. You might want to think about whether you want a future."
With that Caelius stands and goes to check on the wounded.
Caelius watches the others drag the leader away.
Once they are out of sight he squats down nest to the youngest of the awake captives. He speaks in a low conversational tone.
"So, bit of trouble you got yourself into." "Banditery's not that bad of a profession all in all. Easy money, freedom. I can see it." "Things have changed though. Time to change or die." "I pity your friend in there." "I really do." "That woman, sorceress, and not the ususal friendly kind." "She is two parts dark fey, real dark." "She looks fine now but you do not ever want to meet her by moonlight. Our last night in New Svetlen before coming here she didn't get indoors fast enough. We figure the guy was either hitting on her or trying to mug her. They never found his head and that nice lady in there with your friend did not eat for three days. I counted."
"Like I said things are changing in the stolen lands. You might want to think about whether you want a future."With that Caelius stands and goes to check on the wounded.
Happs protests the rough treatment by Ragnor and Holbrecht but stops when he sees Agnatha following behind. As Agnatha begins her questioning, Happs runs his fingers through his hair and smiles at the young Wizard.
"Oh, not that hard I'd imagine. People have to sleep sometime. But right now things are good for me and her. But, that could change." Happs smiles up at Agnatha with his most charming smile "But enough about her, what about you? What's your name?"
** spoiler omitted **
Happs protests the rough treatment by Ragnor and Holbrecht but stops when he sees Agnatha following behind. As Agnatha begins her questioning, Happs runs his fingers through his hair and smiles at the young Wizard.
"Oh, not that hard I'd imagine. People have to sleep sometime. But right now things are good for me and her. But, that could change." Happs smiles up at Agnatha with his most charming smile "But enough about her, what about you? What's your name?"
Ragnor stands behind the bandit leader ready in case he decides to do anything stupid. Ragnor remains silent and still sword at the ready.
YOU he's afraid of, the others...not so much. Seeing as that you are outside he's going to try and bluff his way out of this situation.
YOU he's afraid of, the others...not so much. Seeing as that you are outside he's going to try and bluff his way out of this situation.
"My name's Agnatha and I'm here to present you with an opportunity. My friends and I are planning on making some changes around here. Kressle's in the way. That means you're in the way too, but, well . . . it would be a pity to have to kill a man as handsome as you. So . . . here's the deal: You provide us with some information, like where Kressle's camp is, how many people we can expect to run into there and the like, and we'll let you go. Hey, we'd even welcome your assistance. At least I know I would be grateful for your help." Agnatha continues to smile at Happs, trying to appear alluring.
"I have ink and paper if you would like him to draw a map... also if we could find out their logistics... number of ingress and egress routes... how many days they could last if sieged... number of armed and able men... any noncombatants present... if they have any hidden defenses." Holbrecht offers, as he wanders in thought on about the details.
As an afterthought, Holbrecht gives Agnatha Guidance, in case she needs it for these negotiations.
Tarith remains outside with the other bandits, keeping an eye on them.
Ragnor is. From 3? posts above yours:
"Ragnor stands behind the bandit leader ready in case he decides to do anything stupid. Ragnor remains silent and still sword at the ready."
Caelius tends the wounded and searches the prisioners. Their possessions are placed on the table by the main house. He will help gather the horses and bring them into the barn as well.
Bump?
Bump?
Bump?
Caelius, Devor, Tarith, and the bandits break out a couple of folding tables and some chairs. Soon there is an impromptu gin rummy tourney in the courtyard.
Svetlana brings out some lemonade and fresh scones. She stays to play and systematically cleans our clocks.
Sorry for the unexplained absence, but Thursay night I suffered an appendicitis attack and was taken to the hospital. I was discharged Sunday morning and today is the first day that I've actually felt like getting out of bed.
That's an ouch.
Good to know he is still about. We should see him soonish then.
That's an ouch.
Good to know he is still about. We should see him soonish then.
That's an ouch.
Good to know he is still about. We should see him soonish then.
A friend of mine went through it. Let's just say he made good friends with his demerol dispenser.
I hope he comes back to this game though. Any word Devor?
That's an ouch.
Good to know he is still about. We should see him soonish then.
A friend of mine went through it. Let's just say he made good friends with his demerol dispenser.
I hope he comes back to this game though. Any word Devor?
OK guys. I'm back. Just need some time to catch up with the posts. Between that and catching up with work it might be another day or so before I can start regular postings.
OK guys. I'm back. Just need some time to catch up with the posts. Between that and catching up with work it might be another day or so before I can start regular postings.
OK guys. I'm back. Just need some time to catch up with the posts. Between that and catching up with work it might be another day or so before I can start regular postings.
Glad to hear you are back! That can not have been fun. Take the time you need. We will be here.
And thanks to Devor for letting us know what was what.
Welcome back, Glad to hear you are feeling better.
Bump?