2: Return to the Monastery of the Iron God

Wilric tries to stifle a yawn as he thinks things over, but he is too aware of the dangers of traveling at night. "Maybe those with good vision at night should do the darkest parts of the night?"

He stretches and yawns again.

The night passes by as each watch keeps hidden from prying eyes. At one point some noises can be heard coming from the monastery, but they do not emerge from the walls. Otherwise, it is a peaceful night.

The next morning comes and with it a day of travel. The tapestries are heavy and awkward, but the mule (without a cart, as was corrected) bears the load with little complaint. Sometime in the morning the group passes a small troupe of hooded figures who seem to be more concerned with their hushed conversation than anything with you. And later, a man on horseback leading a chained and gagged prisoner passes you, but he makes a point of turning down any conversation.

Eventually you find yourself outside familiar doors. From your time at this roadside inn, you know that there are frequently traders that pass through here, and also there is a man who operates out of here selling basic provisions. The innkeeper also offers a lockbox service, but it costs 5% per week.

At the front of the inn, Horace takes a look at his remaining funds. Looking up to the rest of the group, he asks,
"So now that we are safely back, we need to split the reward. We should find someone to appraise and purchase our goods. As i am the most honest, and humble, member of our group, I will ensure that we get a fair price and that it is split evenly."

Czespecem does not respond but his bullshit alarm screams in his head.

Wilric smiles at Horace’s comment but more so at the look on Czespecem, "You do come across as honest Horace . . . " Wilric leaves the sentence there and heads into the Inn leaving the goods for the Paladin to sort.

Inside the inn are several tables filled with late-night revelers enjoying their tankards. Most look like standard travelers and farmers, and none look like adventurers for hire. The bartender/innkeeper stands behind the bar waiting for guests, and a door to a side-room awaits. Behind that door is the local provisioner, who also is willing to purchase finer quality wares in the hopes he can turn them around to a traveling merchant.

Wilric makes his way to the bar, "An ale Barkeep, we have come back better than we began." The Halfling places a coin on the bar, waits for his ale and moves off to a table. There he waits for the others to join him.

"And I see you return with a full fellowship, not just a lone survivor! An ale it is! I suspect you will be purchasing plenty more!" The bartender begins pouring several pints of ale without waiting for the party to order them. After all, you have the spending money.

Horace will go out and purchase some rations. Then he will join the others at the bar.
"That was a most exhilarating fight. Those foul creatures couldn't stand to our righteous fury. Surely the other creatures are quaking in their boots. Why, we were so valiant the gods saw fit to reward us. Surely they're is more in store for all of us. "

The evening passes with much haggling and revelry. The ale flows freely in exchange for your hard earned money. The morning comes, and along with it a hangover. But today is a day of walking, and so there are few worries. The tavern is emptier in the morning, though some travelers are to be found having breakfast. It is noted that none at the tables seem to be for hire, and also that the elf, Nim, has vanished. It is possible he had said his goodbyes the night before, but that night is mostly a blur.

Sometime around noon as you are halfway along the road, you hear a rustling from the brush nearby. The bright light off the day shows several figures creeping through the treeline towards you. It would appear to be an ambush, but you have detected it just in time! Coming in two groups from both ahead and behind you, they seem to be trying to surround you. With twelve bandits in total, each group has a swordsman, three spearmen, and three bowmen. Luckily you were already wary of bandits, for you have been spending days traveling with treasure. They do not get the jump on you today!

Round One of Combat
Combat Order
Party
Bandits

Seeing the large group, Horace is unsure if his group could defeat them. A more diplomatic approach might work.

"Halt, you will not find anything of value on us. Rather, we know of a place that is full of treasure. If you promise to let us go safely, we could guide you there. "

He awaits there reply, his hand on his sword hilt.

One of the swordsmen approaches Horace. "Treasure, you say? And just where is this place? It can't be too filled with gold that you would trade your life for it." He holds up a hand to signal to the others to hold fast. They do so, but keep their bows and spears at the ready.

There is some hemming and hawing, some bickering and yelling, and eventually the bandits come to an accord with you. You'll lead them to the monastery (or wherever it is you told them the treasure lay) and gather as much loot as you can. They do not seem interested in being your friends, however, and only seem to view this as a business venture. And so you set out once more.

Hours later, you notice further up the trail the outline of a horseman and large retinue approaching. The distance makes it hard to count, but best estimates are twelve footmen alongside the mounted man. The bandits beside you look apprehensive.

What do you do?

Wilric was impressed with Horace’s ability to attract followers, even these one which may end up stabbing us in the back. The Halfling will be keeping an eye on this lot.

Seeing the nervous tension building upon the bandit’s face at the sight of the new arrivals, he turns to the bandit Leader. "Move your men to the side of the road, once there kneel and bow your heads. Don’t look up." He then turns to Horace, "The Lord coming down the road is all yours Horace, keep his attention on you."

Wilric joins the Bandits on the side of the road . . .

The bandit troupe does as Wilric suggests and pulls to the side of the road and prepares to take a knee. The kneeling will also do the favor of hiding their faces, as it is likely several of them are wanted men. The approaching men come closer and it is evident that they are a foot patrol belonging to the Eastreach Province. The scroll-and-coin emblem is present on the chest of the horseman's gleaming plate, and the footmen are checkered with the black and purple that marks them of the Eastreach Province.

As they approach, they seem to take little notice of those who stood off the road for them, though there is still some distance between them and you. The bandits kneel and bow their heads, in preparation for the patrol. It is a simple but clever ruse, as those outside the law would not be caught out in the open like this. Horace can see that the horseman is likely a sheriff, which implies some form of nobility.

"Hail, sir knight," he calls to Horace as he nears. "What brings you and yours to this road so far from, well, anything?"

Kneeling alongside Wilric, the druid leans and whispers to the hobbit.

"Should we maybe let them know these are bandits? Could save us from them stabbing us in the back..."

"Hail and well met" Horace responds as he looks the group up and down. "We are but simple servants of the gods on a most righteous mission. We are cleansing an old monastery of the sinister and wicked creatures that lie within. Though we might miss the comforts of the city, our souls will be nourished and strengthened by following the gods will. What about yourself? Surely you must be on an important mission to be out here. "

He seems to be eagerly anticipating what the noble says. Surely they also be on a righteous mission.