Kevros arrives back at the main group watching the last arrow to be pulled from Tristan's torso, "Ouch, are you OK Tristan? You should have Narcissa look at that when you get a chance." ... Kevros pauses and was about to address Quince and sees Masota's armor and gear laying there without her ... "Hey, what happened to Masota?!"
Quince looks about, "I am not sure I was all but dead and then a flash. all that remains of her is apparently this gear. Unless Trisran saw her strip down and flee. We should get this bandit check for survivors and get going. Rember something is in the cave."
Quince notices Tristans wounds and heals him.
At this Quince begins checking the fallen bandits begining with the woman.
Keveros nods, "I agree, it may preset itself to us soon. However, can you back me up to check the status of the archers across the stream? Perhaps if I was a front line fighter, like Tristan here, I would have climbed the tree. We should make sure they are dead or not waiting to escape. Afterwards, we should check out the cave when we are ready.
Kevros starts for the tree platform across the stream.
Keveros nods to Quince, "I agree, it may preset itself to us soon. However, can you back me up to check the status of the archers across the stream? Perhaps if I was a front line fighter, like Tristan here, I would have climbed the tree. ... Kevros nods to Tristan ... We should make sure the bandits are dead or not waiting to escape. Afterwards, we should check out the cave when we are ready.[/b] Kevros starts for the tree platform across the stream.
Quince acompanies Kevros at his request.
Keveros nods to Quince, "I agree, whatever is in the cave may present itself to us soon. However, can you back me up to check the status of the archers across the stream? Perhaps if I was a front line fighter, like Tristan here, I would have climbed the tree. ... Kevros nods to Tristan ... "We should make sure the bandits are dead or not waiting to escape. Afterwards, we should check out the cave when we are ready." Kevros starts for the tree platform across the stream.
--------------------
Kevros heads back over to the archer's platform across the stream with Quince. Before climbing the tree, "Thanks Quince for watching my back.". He then secures his crossbow and climbs the platform and tree to validate the archers' status.
S'ala will begin going through the gear of the deceased bandits waiting and watching what transpires with his prisioner and how he behaves and is treated. He will bring any gear he finds on the bodies or in the camp to a central location for everyone to sort through
In response to Tristan, "I am known as Vale Blueblood, a hunter of this region and got pressed into service, by these bandits a few weeks ago, I was able to avoid them up until then. Thank you I will have some water, I repent the ways put upon me, it was better than the knife they promised my neck. This was an advance group from the Stag Lord's main camp or ruin of a keep. There are many bandits in small groups roaming the lands, though this is one of the largest."
Quince checks the woman's vitals... yes, she is dead.
Sala begins to loot... you find a large cache of furs and equipment under the South tree, where you climbed up. You collect the bandits loot and bring it here too.
Kevros heads back, and climbs up the tree, taking his time the climb check is moot...
Angeus helps S'ala drag the bodies of the bandits to the central location and separate out the valuables.
She then turns to Vale, "Do you know where the stores are kept? Were you living up in the trees? Where are the living areas?"
Kevros checks the bodies for money and gear that can be used. Then walks over to the edge, "Nothing alive, Stalker has been here."
Kevros hands down a few things before he comes down himself. The items are listed in the spoiler.
Vale responds to Angeus, "Our stores are mostly right over there under the furs. We really didn't live up there, but are our lookout posts. Kressel's tent over there held most of the best stuff, though some mites ran off with some loot yesterday. All around us is where the bandits lived, we ate around the camp fire, and slept under the stars unless it was raining then we set up a few tents below the trees." He points out to the areas with his hands.
5 long bows, 2 short bows, 4 short swords, 5 long swords, 3 clubs, 4 javelins, 7 daggers, 4 leather armor, 3 studded leather armor, 2 hide armor, 2 throwing axes, 80 arrows, 8 quivers, 212 gp, 84 sp, 123 cp, 2 handaxes, 3 potions, 200 gp in equipment, and a silver ewer and bowl.
The bandits’ spoils, kept hidden under less interesting supplies like food, firewood, and (5) tents under the platform at area K2, currently include 321 sp, 30 gp, a pair of silver earrings, a wooden music box, three crates of furs and hides worth 50 gp per crate, and a polished wooden case of potent greenish herbal liquor. There are still eight bottles with liquor left in them, each worth 20 gp.
There is also Masota's equipment that is not noted here.
This is all the loot besides what is on Vale.
As the group continues to move the bodies (some may still be alive, have not been checked), loot and look through the loot. Some of you continue to ask questions of Vale and he is very helpful in what he knows.
*If the Stag Lord doesn't get this shipment, he’ll likely grow more aggressive.
*There is a master phrase as a sort of password to get in to the fort on the northeast shore of the Tuskwater, though I was not privy to it.
*Rumors are that the Stag Lord is a brute and a bully, though I never met the man, I was recruited by several mean looking lietenants of his that rove around as they choose. They use a woman in peril as bait, then they jump in with about half a dozen bandits to press those who come to rescue her into service.
Thank you for the information and being helpfull. When is this stag lord expecting the shipment by? Seems as we may have are in.
"I hope that you see my willingness to help as a new recruit and not a die hard bandit. I think that the shipment was going to be made in a week or two."
Very well, so we have a little time on our side as well. We would ask that you travel back to the trading post with us. There you can help us to mark the map were you think the keep may be, and there you will work with us. The trading post could use a good hunter.
Tristan looks around at everyone and the supplies.
If everyone is ready we should get all these things back to the post as soon as we can. What say you?
Yes, Kevros and Quince are back with the main group to hear the bandit's report and he clarifies anything that the two of you missed. The loot is already consolidated.
Kevros responds to Vale in a cordial response, "Very well Vale, your willingness is duly noted for your judgement. However if we find out you tricked us or are setting us up for an ambush, your favor with us will be disappear and we may add an enhancement to your possible crimes against the Swordlords." ... Kevros pauses ... "I now have questions for you. The first one is, what rumor have you heard about the bandits with vines or whatever growing out of them? Lastly, what is in the cave?" ... Kevros meets Vale's gaze waiting for his answers.
Quince looks ominously to the north. "Start with the cave and is whatever in their coming."
Kevros nods, "Yes, please start with the cave."
"Your decision to help us is a wise one Friend Vale. This One is glad you gave up your resistance and are repenting of any evil deeds. Law is coming to this area one way or another."
How many horses? Can we pack all this gear onto them?
"Wise Quince, can you speak with these beasts and see if they will bear our arms and treasure for us to the Keep? It seems we have the means to equip more retainers with these items if we bring them and money to hire them...
Angeus nods at the other's line of questioning, but adds her own "You mentioned that the camp had been raided by mites. Do you know where they lair? They could prove to be a nuisance."
In responds to Kevros, Vale is a bit unsure, "The vine infested folk, are said to be of very evil intent, the curse of the Vampire Lord. I stay away from them when just as a hunter and have not seen any since I was recruited. The cave, oh yeah, there is an 'Orge' in there, at least it appears that way, I believe some creature is creating that image to scare off intruders."
Two more horses from the camp, though you likely could get them working on the cart and pull most of the stuff if not all of it.
"The mites live under a massive sycamore tree, it is to the East of here. Yes they are troublesome creatures, they are worse than the kobolds. The kobolds are reasonable on certain topics."
Quince nods at S'ala's question, "We have these new steeds as well as the group we brought with us we can probably hall quite a bit more if we pack it right."
Quince looks quizzical at the mention of a Vampire Lord. "Vampire? So there is a Stag Lord and a Vampire Lord . . . and their working together?"
Oh, there's a cart. S'ala will go over and begin inspecting the cart to make sure its in working condition. If it appears to be, he will begin loading the good and supplies into the cart for easy transport.
"This one will go scout the cave if you like? Ogre or actor it matters not. We must clear the area of those with ill intent."
He chuckles to himself, "Quinnce was it? The Vampire Lord is myth, but then again evil vines that curse the truely depraved, maybe not so much a curse. The Stag Lord is just a big bully and a brute, he is just a strong bandit nothing more, then again I have not met the man. I don't know many things, many things in the Stolen Lands have remained mysteries for hundreds of years, but I have only heard rumors and lived in the area for two or three years now. Though my folks live on the Northern fringes."
Sala you see a small pile of gold in the cart.
I know your familly name. Your practices well they are your own, but I trust in what he says. Are there any others that will be coming back to this camp? If no or if it is a small group, maybe we should rest the night here, take advantage of the tree stands and then explore the cave before departing back. Mites I do not know much about but we would do well to get rid of them. Kolbold can be troublesome but we should find their clan as well just so we know where they are.
S'ala will investigate the gold further and if mundane bring it back to the loot pile for accounting.
Unless something goes awry, he will also begin hooking up the horses to the traces of the cart in order to make the loot pile mobile.
Sala before you touch the gold you see a bear trap mostly covered up by the coins.
"There is a group of four and a pair of two that have not checked back yet, they should come in by tonight. Others could come by and spend a night here, though most just keep to themselves. "
Once the possession of the dead have been accounted for, Angeus makes a circuit of the camp, seeking any other hiding spots.
Perception
Kevros sighs, "If none of us are severely injured, we should go in the cave, secure the cave, take any treasure, then head back to the Keep to regroup, drop off the treasure, pay our hirelings, and prepare for our next target. What do you all think?" Kevros shifts his weight uneasily obviously not liking the news nor the necessary suggestion. "To add, an Ogre does pose a threat to our region and base of operations. And if it is not a true ogre, then we don't bleed and get bruised as much."
Quince nods in assent to Kevros and smiles, "Eager to throw me on an orge's back." Quince ponders a moment, "Do the bandits visit the ogre often?"
Kevros laughs, "Crap Quince, you figured out my master plan." Then smiles.
S'ala points out the bear-trap to all. "Might be a good idea to watch your step still," he says. S'ala will wait until Angeus comes back from her rounds of the camp, and ask her to disarm the trap.
Then if all is clear, will proceed with loading.
Angeus finds a few cache's of cards, dice, 12 gp, 46 sp, 25 cp, four gems each worth 10 gp, a dagger, and three more bottles of the green liquid. This check was for the general camp another would be needed for Kressle's tent.
"Hell no, they all fear it as much as Kressel herself. I only went by with curiosity, I think the ogre was a illusion or something, I didn't believe it to be real. Let alone Bandits are superstitious, I told them what I thought and they doubly did not want to go that way."
Unless taking the path around to the camp, I am sure some of you will see that the direct path to the cave has many traps.
Kevros interjects, "And probably the cave itself?
Having noticed that Kressel had her own tent, Angeus carefully invesigates.
Perception
Once she's done in there, she notices S'ala waving her over to his discover. Trotting over, she says "What do you have there?". She lets out a low whistle at the size of the bear trap.
Kneeling, she begins to slowly move coins out of the way of the trap mechanism
Disable Device
"That trap may come in useful yet, we should add it to our pile of arms to take back to the Keep."
Kevros gives a small laugh, "We can place and set them in the field around the keep or maybe around the perimeter of the walls? Let's clear this one trap, clear the cave path, and the cave itself to see what is in there?"
The bear trap is disarmed. Now that you think of it Angeus you might have seen one out in the forest when looking for caches.
You did not see anything hidden or special in the tent. A decent sized sleeping area with furs and a few pillows making it up. The silver ewer and bowl on a small table. A dressing screen with a decent sized chest behind it. A few burnt down candles and a few books.
If you want any PC can take a 20 on perception though it will take 2 minutes to analyze a 5 foot square this way. Or take a 10 which is a full round action instead.
The DC to see the snares, trip wires, pits, and bear traps is about 15, though some were well hidden thus a DC 20. Your choice on what you do.
Narcissa and Siph seem to be still in the brush or wandered off.
I'm wounded, but not too severe after aid from Quince. Well we will let Angeus clear the path and go investigate this cave then. Sounds like a well enough plan to me.
"That Kressel's got some nice things in her tent, but that can wait." Angeus says as she joins the others standing looking towards the cave.
"Hold up here.." she says then makes her way forward.
Perception
Disable Device
S'ala will attempt to clear part of the path taking his time and search well. (Take 20). He will not attempt to disable any traps but will alert the others and ask Angeus to come take a look if any are found.
Five rolls should do it Angeus, of each Perception and DD.
Well you are not for sure how much you will need to clear, if you are clearing a 15 foot wide section, and at least 60 feet long. You do the math, also with a 20, what is your result Sala?
Quince looks over to Tristan, "I can heal once more before I rest, more to thank Masota for I think. Or we can wait to see what other injuries show up. . . .Hey has anyone seen Narrisa and Siph?"
Kevros looks around, "They were supposed to follow me during the battle. I hope they were not taken! We should look for them over there where they were last with me." ... Kevros points in the direction.
Perception Rolls
Disable Device Rolls
"Kevros lets check out where you left them."
"Are you done with healing everyone? Then let's go!, Kevros lifts up his crossbow in the ready and heads with Quince to the last location in which Kevros, Narcissa, and Siph were all together.
S'ala will aid Angeus, helping her search and adding his opinion on devices as needed
all +7 = 11, 18, 10, and 12 These would all give her +2 on her check if allowed.
all +2 = 11, 17, 15, 12 Again all would add +2 to Angeus rolls if allowed.
Tristan nods toward Quince,
I should be fine as long as we don't find an ogre in there. He smiles.
He then follows behind Angeus and S'ala.