Ricky Passmore
First Post
Alexa says "Thank you for the warm welcome. We are here to chart the area, and deal with the bandits. I would personally like to hear about the bandits in the area, have they been a problem? "
Pathfinder 1E Kingmaker: Stolen Land
Emudre thanks Svetlana, and tells her about the near run-in with the wild boars.
When Alexa inquires about bandits, Emudre leans forward, intent to gather as much information about the bandits as their hosts have to offer.
When Alexa inquires about bandits, Emudre leans forward, intent to gather as much information about the bandits as their hosts have to offer.
Diarmadhim
Explorer
Svetlana nods sagely when Emudre tells of the wild boars, “They're extremely dangerous. It was wise of you to give them a wide berth. In those sort of numbers, even the trappers and hunters I know would take a hard pass.” She takes on a quizzical expression at Kuvarious' initial comment, then replies, “Oleg is quite handy with a hammer. We have done all of the repairs over the past few months. He was so happy when Ioseph told him of the opportunity to run his own trading post since Restov had pulled back all of its troops from this fort and Fort Serenko to our east... I wish they had left a few. We've been begging them to send at least a squad out to help protect us.” Turning to Alexa she continues, “Their withdrawal has emboldened the bandits in the region.” With tears in her eyes she whispers, “Bad enough they take our stock, but they even took my ring...” Catching her breath she states, “I'm sorry – I need to go check on the stew again lest it burn. Oleg will tell you more over lunch.” She quickly exits the guesthouse and returns to the main hall.
A short time later, Oleg pokes his head into the guesthouse, “Lunch is ready.” He hesitates a moment before continuing, “sorry I wasn't more... earlier... I tend not to... err... hmph – lunch is ready.” He takes a seat in a chair that has been brought out to the head of the table on the right and gestures for you all to do likewise. Svetlana brings out a pot of hearty boar stew, warm bread, and a bottle of wine. As she sits it down she pats Oleg on the shoulder and takes a seat on the bench closest to him. Oleg nods and noticeably relaxes.
Taking a deep breath he exhales it before continuing, “go ahead and eat up. Svetlana makes an amazing meal. I'm sorry if I came across as a curmudgeon earlier – I am one,” he chuckles at his self-deprecation. “Hell's teeth, it's why I jumped at Ioseph's proposal to start a trade post here. I moved us here to get away from the continual schemes and political intrigue that infests Restov. I'm no fool – anyone with half a brain could take a look at a map and see that this is a horrible spot for a trading post. It's remote and too far from a major river. As they say, 'when the wolf shows you his teeth, he's not smiling.' Ioseph has a job to do as the Lord Mayor, and I have a job to do as a husband. When we moved out here, it was more or less just a way for Ioseph to keep tabs on the region without using up additional resources. I have no qualms sending him updates on the region to ensure no potential threats are moving in. He doesn't want a threat to his south while he worries about the threat to his north and I wanted to get away far enough away from the sins of civilization without living so far away that we couldn't enjoy most of its benefits. Thus I accepted the charter to rebuild this abandoned border fort into a trading post.”
“We've spent the past few months rebuilding. Our customers are few and far between, consisting mostly of trappers, hunters, and good ol' Bokken. Winter always follows spring though, and bandits have started moving into our area, emboldened by the complete withdrawal of Restov's soldiers. They're stealing from us – a 'tax collection' they call it. They even took Svetlana's wedding ring! We've gotten word that a group of guards will be sent soon. I was hoping they'd be here in time to deal with these 'tax collectors,' but it seems they aren't. Luckily, you all have arrived and apparently bearing a charter to snuff out banditry in the region. Well, these bastards are bandits and I'd be much obliged if you were to snuff them out – and recover Svetlana's ring if you can. I don't have much right now, but I swear to you that I will give you 1,000 gold in credit for the trading post if you do manage to recover it!”
“I know Svetlana offered you free room and board for the night. If you're willing to help us with our problem, you can stay free tomorrow night too. The bandits first came three months ago. They threatened to burn down the trading post and,” Oleg pauses, his face burning with shame and anger, “abduct Svetlana for their own amusements back at their camp if we didn't hand over all of our furs and trade goods to them. Since then, they've returned twice more; each time within an hour of sunrise on the first day of the month. They're punctual bastards, I'll give them that. As long as we have the 'taxes' ready and hand them over quickly, they tend to leave in a hurry.”
“I think their camp is about a day's ride away,” Svetlana interjects.
Nodding, Oleg pats her knee affectionately and continues, “They always approach from the south, so wherever their camp is, it's likely south of here. The first time they visited, there were a dozen of them. Ten thugs that seemed to be led by a cloaked man carrying a bow and a woman who carried two small hatchets. She did most of the talking, so I'd guess she was the main leader and the bowman her number two.”
“She was a spiteful wretch. The way she smiled and laughed while talking about what they'd do to me... I had night terrors for a month! She was sharp and observant – the men all seemed crude and foolish. She nearly cut off Oleg's right hand for daring to stand up for me. I've never met anyone so cruel – she makes my blood run cold,” she ends, shuddering at the memory.
Comforting Svetlana with a hand on her shoulder and a gentle squeeze, Oleg nods, “She was definitely the most dangerous of the bunch. She was the one that took Svetlana's wedding ring as payment for not shortening my reach. On the second and third visits, only the crude hooded man accompanied the thugs. The second visit he came with just six other men, and only four on the third visit. I think they've let their guard down and think we're completely cowed. I can't wait to see the look on their faces in two days! I can't wait to hang their bodies from the southern palisade wall as a warning to the other brigands. What's your plan?” he asks, fire in his eyes.
A short time later, Oleg pokes his head into the guesthouse, “Lunch is ready.” He hesitates a moment before continuing, “sorry I wasn't more... earlier... I tend not to... err... hmph – lunch is ready.” He takes a seat in a chair that has been brought out to the head of the table on the right and gestures for you all to do likewise. Svetlana brings out a pot of hearty boar stew, warm bread, and a bottle of wine. As she sits it down she pats Oleg on the shoulder and takes a seat on the bench closest to him. Oleg nods and noticeably relaxes.
Taking a deep breath he exhales it before continuing, “go ahead and eat up. Svetlana makes an amazing meal. I'm sorry if I came across as a curmudgeon earlier – I am one,” he chuckles at his self-deprecation. “Hell's teeth, it's why I jumped at Ioseph's proposal to start a trade post here. I moved us here to get away from the continual schemes and political intrigue that infests Restov. I'm no fool – anyone with half a brain could take a look at a map and see that this is a horrible spot for a trading post. It's remote and too far from a major river. As they say, 'when the wolf shows you his teeth, he's not smiling.' Ioseph has a job to do as the Lord Mayor, and I have a job to do as a husband. When we moved out here, it was more or less just a way for Ioseph to keep tabs on the region without using up additional resources. I have no qualms sending him updates on the region to ensure no potential threats are moving in. He doesn't want a threat to his south while he worries about the threat to his north and I wanted to get away far enough away from the sins of civilization without living so far away that we couldn't enjoy most of its benefits. Thus I accepted the charter to rebuild this abandoned border fort into a trading post.”
“We've spent the past few months rebuilding. Our customers are few and far between, consisting mostly of trappers, hunters, and good ol' Bokken. Winter always follows spring though, and bandits have started moving into our area, emboldened by the complete withdrawal of Restov's soldiers. They're stealing from us – a 'tax collection' they call it. They even took Svetlana's wedding ring! We've gotten word that a group of guards will be sent soon. I was hoping they'd be here in time to deal with these 'tax collectors,' but it seems they aren't. Luckily, you all have arrived and apparently bearing a charter to snuff out banditry in the region. Well, these bastards are bandits and I'd be much obliged if you were to snuff them out – and recover Svetlana's ring if you can. I don't have much right now, but I swear to you that I will give you 1,000 gold in credit for the trading post if you do manage to recover it!”
“I know Svetlana offered you free room and board for the night. If you're willing to help us with our problem, you can stay free tomorrow night too. The bandits first came three months ago. They threatened to burn down the trading post and,” Oleg pauses, his face burning with shame and anger, “abduct Svetlana for their own amusements back at their camp if we didn't hand over all of our furs and trade goods to them. Since then, they've returned twice more; each time within an hour of sunrise on the first day of the month. They're punctual bastards, I'll give them that. As long as we have the 'taxes' ready and hand them over quickly, they tend to leave in a hurry.”
“I think their camp is about a day's ride away,” Svetlana interjects.
Nodding, Oleg pats her knee affectionately and continues, “They always approach from the south, so wherever their camp is, it's likely south of here. The first time they visited, there were a dozen of them. Ten thugs that seemed to be led by a cloaked man carrying a bow and a woman who carried two small hatchets. She did most of the talking, so I'd guess she was the main leader and the bowman her number two.”
“She was a spiteful wretch. The way she smiled and laughed while talking about what they'd do to me... I had night terrors for a month! She was sharp and observant – the men all seemed crude and foolish. She nearly cut off Oleg's right hand for daring to stand up for me. I've never met anyone so cruel – she makes my blood run cold,” she ends, shuddering at the memory.
Comforting Svetlana with a hand on her shoulder and a gentle squeeze, Oleg nods, “She was definitely the most dangerous of the bunch. She was the one that took Svetlana's wedding ring as payment for not shortening my reach. On the second and third visits, only the crude hooded man accompanied the thugs. The second visit he came with just six other men, and only four on the third visit. I think they've let their guard down and think we're completely cowed. I can't wait to see the look on their faces in two days! I can't wait to hang their bodies from the southern palisade wall as a warning to the other brigands. What's your plan?” he asks, fire in his eyes.
Last edited:
MacConnell
Creator of The Untamed Wilds
After the warm meal, Shillaadrini goes outside the fort to take a look along it southern border. He takes a few hours to thoroughly search the area looking for sign of the path the bandits have been taking.
[sblock=Perception]1d20+7 = 14 + 7 = 21[/sblock]
[sblock=Perception]1d20+7 = 14 + 7 = 21[/sblock]
Last edited by a moderator:
Tellerian Hawke
Defender of Oerth
Sarvek's eyes narrow when he learns of this despicable behavior. A scowl of disapproval begins to spread across his face.
Sarvek says, "We will definitely help you." Turning to the others, he continues, "We should go find their camp now, and mark its location. Then, we should come back, and lay in wait to ambush them when they come for their monthly collection. After that, we head for the camp and finish the job while we still have the element of surprise. By the time their envoy is missed, we should already be in their camp, putting these heathens to the sword. The punishment for banditry is death," Sarvek says, with a finality that is not lost upon any within earshot.
Sarvek says, "We will definitely help you." Turning to the others, he continues, "We should go find their camp now, and mark its location. Then, we should come back, and lay in wait to ambush them when they come for their monthly collection. After that, we head for the camp and finish the job while we still have the element of surprise. By the time their envoy is missed, we should already be in their camp, putting these heathens to the sword. The punishment for banditry is death," Sarvek says, with a finality that is not lost upon any within earshot.
Last edited by a moderator:
Emudre's eyes are wide when she hears Oleg's tale of the bandits behaviour. "Those sound like terrible people - I can't believe that they are treating you so badly. You and Svetlana are very courageous to keep living in this region. I agree with Sarv. We will do our very best to help you."
When she learns of Shillaadrini's plan to go scouting outside the fort, Emudre requests to accompany him. "I am not much of a tracker, but perhaps I can aid you with a bit of Desna's luck."
When she learns of Shillaadrini's plan to go scouting outside the fort, Emudre requests to accompany him. "I am not much of a tracker, but perhaps I can aid you with a bit of Desna's luck."
|
Diarmadhim
Explorer
As you three go to look for tracks, Svetlana speaks up, “I have some experience in tracking and I can tell you that since they come on the first day of the month, it's been 26 days. We have no chance of finding, let alone following, them. The weather and time have obscured any potential tracks outside of my meager talent. Even the best tracker in the kingdom would be hard pressed. We know for sure they will be here in two days at dawn though... Just as well, I really don't feel comfortable with just Oleg and I being here alone should you all leave,” she adds, her eyes tearing up slightly. “I don't know how long they'll be okay with just taking part of the profits. Eventually they might decide to use the trading post as a base of operations.”
MacConnell
Creator of The Untamed Wilds
Svetlana speaks up,
"That gives me an idea. Though it would be great to find the bandit encampment, we have only a short wait to be able to ambush them. They will not be expecting us. We should let them come straight on into the fort, like they always do, then when we attack, we need to make sure that none escape.
If we are up against a superior force. I prefer guerrilla tactics. We need the enemy guessing as to what is happening to their members."
Rather than becoming disappointed, Shillaadrini replies,
"That gives me an idea. Though it would be great to find the bandit encampment, we have only a short wait to be able to ambush them. They will not be expecting us. We should let them come straight on into the fort, like they always do, then when we attack, we need to make sure that none escape.
If we are up against a superior force. I prefer guerrilla tactics. We need the enemy guessing as to what is happening to their members."
Emudre offers sympathy to Svetlana's situation "We will not leave you alone the day the bandits come."
"I agree with Adrin. Let's set up an ambush for the morning the bandits arrive. Svetlana, do they usually approach you at your living quarters? We could hide in the other buildings and surround the bandits while they are speaking to you."
"I think we should try to hide the evidence that we are here. Then it will be easier to keep the advantage of surprise."
"Svetlana and Oleg, are you proficient in any arms? "
"I agree with Adrin. Let's set up an ambush for the morning the bandits arrive. Svetlana, do they usually approach you at your living quarters? We could hide in the other buildings and surround the bandits while they are speaking to you."
"I think we should try to hide the evidence that we are here. Then it will be easier to keep the advantage of surprise."
"Svetlana and Oleg, are you proficient in any arms? "
Last edited:
Tellerian Hawke
Defender of Oerth
Sarvek says, with concern, "While I agree with you, Emmy, that we should ambush the bandits, I hesitate to allow Oleg and Svetlana to participate; we should arm them, yes, but they should retreat and hide once the fighting begins, and attack only if a bandit finds their hiding place and forces them to act in self defense. Otherwise, it should be WE who do the fighting. No offense meant, my friend."
Similar Threads
