2: Return to the Monastery of the Iron God

The sheriff frowns as he arrives. Hrmph. "Bad business, that monastery. It's good that you are going to clean it out, as I would be tasked with it sooner or later. But for now, I hunt for those that would do harm to those on the road. Bandits and wolves, mostly. If you delve in those parts, be alert for there are secrets that have been hidden from sight since before I was a lad. I will pass along a story that I heard as a child. Bathing in the fountain of the priests will grant protection against the undead." He nods at Horace, then begins to lead his patrol away. Several of the footmen look curiously at the bandits and your company, but don't speak up.

Wilric leans in towards Eagerwish, "You maybe right, but they will also make good fodder for the beasts inside the ruins. It is a hard choice but I feel if a few of them die in my stead the better."

Eagerwish snorts silently.
"Pretty sure they gonna send US to meet the monsters first."

"Do it." Wilric whispers as he turns and stands behind the kneeing Bandits. He gets ready to draw his bow.

"Shoulda become the fuckin' woodcutter like ma wanted," Eagerwish growls in whispered breath as he raises up to a standing position.

"M'lord, if I may," as he says this, the exiled druid moves to the other side of the road, to get away from the bandits, "that is only half true. While some of us are indeed on this holy mission Mr. Knight speaks of, others are mere brigands that we had to bribe with our knowledge of the Monastery's location so that they would not slit our throats!"

Without hesitation or doubt in their minds, the patrol draws steel and puts it to flesh! The bandits leap up from their positions and prepare to defend themselves. Within a matter of moments, it is a chaotic melee!

Round One of Combat
Combat Order
Patrol (Sheriff, Sergeant x2, Footman x10)
Party
Bandits Fighter x2, Spearman x5, Bowman x3

The foot patrol leaps into action and begins clanging metal against metal. The bandits defend themselves as best they can, but the patrol is better armored and almost equally numbered. Without knowing who is who, the patrol seems to target anyone present, aside from Horace and Eagerwish who had spoken up. To that end, three bowmen are slain by the sword, along with one spearman. With shock, you see that Wardhall takes a glancing blow, and poor Gillaug takes a stray blade through the chest and dies.

With a sigh, Horace knows what he needs to do. He pulls out his sword and attacks the nearest bandit.

‘I liked the sailor.’ Wilric thought to himself as he watches Gillaug fall, but quickly shrugs it off and fires two arrows at the Bandit Bowmen.

Seeing the ensuing chaos, Eagerwish does what every smart man of his station would do - he bolts away, into the bushes, behind the trees or any form of cover that would protect him from the flying arrows and angry swordsmen!

The dwarf was anything but foolish. Well, perhaps foolish enough to adventure for coin, and definitely foolish enough to explore ruins for a living... but he knew that running now might look suspicious, and it would be better to be seen fighting alongside the patrol. With enchanted shovel in hand, he leaps to action and takes on one of the spearmen nearby.

Gilsbead rushes towards his companion only to find a spear skewering him. Spears and arrows fly, and the swordsmen begin slicing through footmen like butter. Four footmen die to the swordsmen in as many seconds, and three more soldiers die to the rest of the bandits. Whatever happens next, it will happen fast.

End Round One of Combat

Round Two of Combat
Combat Order
Patrol
Party
Bandits

The foot patrol quickly finds themselves outnumbered, but not outmatched. The gleaming lance and swords continue hacking and slashing. The sheriff begins a melee with one of the bandit swordsmen, effectively cutting off the latter's ability to cut swathes through his men. He stabs the bandit through the leg, but doesn't get a killing blow. Two spearmen and a bowman are summarily executed.

You find yourselves in a gory scene. Six members of the foot patrol keep fighting, including the sheriff and both his sergeants. For the bandits, seven still fight; this includes the two swordsmen, three spearmen, and two bowmen.

"Well this went to hell quickly!" Wilric says to himself as he manoeuvres to flank the bandits, peppering them with the bowmen with arrows . . .

One of the bandit bowmen draws back his string and prepares to loose, but falls forward with two sheafs sticking out from his back.

Moving towards another bandit swordsman, Horace swing his sword.

Coming to the sheriff's aid, Horace swings a mighty blow and cleaves the bandit swordsman in twain! This proves to be too much for the bandit troupe, and those remaining let out a scream and flee into the forest! The soldiers of the patrol strike down two more before they can escape, but the remaining swordsman, four spearmen, and two bowmen manage to escape your clutches. Wardhall raises his hands in surrender, knowing that he doesn't look the reputable sort.

"Ho, sir knight, your assistance was appreciated in this melee! With any luck, they'll be licking their wounds for some time yet. We will be returning to the city, and stopping in the wayside inn for the night. Would you wish to join us, or have you still plans at the monastery?"

End of Combat

"I am sorry, but i must refuse. We have been tasked with ridding the monastery of the creatures that lie within.
I had hoped that the bandits would have joined us as a way for them to redeem themselves, but alas that was not to be. That being said, thank you for your assistance in dealing with those bandits. Without you ourlives would have been in grave danger. I will pray for your fallen so their souls will join the gods."

Horace looks towards his companions, "What say all of you, shall we venture forth now or set up camp here?"

Wardhall looks slightly wounded and highly shocked by what just happened. The two men he had been getting to know now lay slain on the ground. Even Czespecem looks skeptical at the smaller group now, as he has seen what carelessness can lead to.

Looking at the two dead Wilric shakes his head a little, "Heading back will just delay our nerves, but not fill our pouches. I say we travel on."