2.1 Chapter 1: Into the Stolen Lands

I shall graciously take the first watch.

Filbert and I can go second. Should we pair up?

Calistril (February) 29th ~1:00pm

The team takes a few hours to rest after the nights activities. Looting the camp food for breakfast and lunch is found, as well as tack for the horses. The watch is able to prepare the valuable gear for transport onto the horse, with the extra on used as pack animals. The watch is also able to lay the fallen bandits to rest.

During this time there is not sign of the 2 escaped bandits. The lone prisoner, the bandit leader remained unconscious as she recovered from her injuries. She begins to stir, muttering profanities

If she gets too sassy or sounds like she's going to cast spells I'm going to gag her with the nastiest looking dirty sock I can find.

Up and at it boys and girls, we need to get back to the fort and prepare for our next move.

Filbert can literally sit on her while we load to ensure she stays good.

Calistril (February) 29th ~9:00pm

Horses packed and bandits gagged & guarded, the trip back to Olegs is uneventful.

You arrive last at the trading post to a closed gate, a lone figure calls from the ramparts
"Who goes there snorts" Harrim snorts

It takes a few minutes to 're-jam' the gate to an open position. By the light of touches the cargo is unloaded, horses are stabled, and a light supper is made.

I will tell Filbert that he can have snacks and then take a nice long nap, but then I need him to keep an eye out for those escaped bandits in the woods around the trading post once he comes back. He will get extra good snacks if he spots them well before they arrive.

The rest of us should organize watches just in case the bandits find others of their crew who were encamped elsewhere and track us back here for vengeance.

Kessle angrily muttered muffled threats, her mouth still gagged the dirtiest of socks.

Luckily the watch order had already been set by Linzi, Harrim, and Valerie. With extra help from the well rested Filbert and sleepless Jeathal, coverage of the prisoner will not be a problem. Linzi even had a set of manacles on hand. The Leveton mention that she can be transferred to on the rare patrols when then come by.

Let's secure Kessle in the sturdiest of outbuildings or maybe a root cellar. Then we can question her about other bandit activities and encampments in the morning.

The Levetons, Linzi, Harim, and Valerie are excited about the swift return of, as Oleg calls them, the "Provincial Champions". However, fatigue of the multiday sprint reveals itself.

Svetlana steps in, calming the excitement "Let us let the PCs rest" she says calmly "We will prepare feast for this victory tomorrow"

"Ah!" chimes in Harrim "Rest, plans are best discussed under clear heads. Our inevitable end is not here yet. The bandit lord in the south may bring that about, but it will take time for news to reach his ears"

As the night falls the "PCs" find themselves in beds that seem far too comfortable for their quality.

In the dead of the night, Silene is woken to a faint distances voice "Mistress ... something has entered the fort".

Awakened, yet under incredible haze Silene can make out the form of a creature. A nymph of some sort, with dark green skin, sparkling eyes, and draped in large folding leaves. With a whispered dreamlike voice she says "Hear me ... please hear me, can you hear me... please help ..."

Well that can't be good. I'll ask the nymph what's wrong and how I can help.

The nymph's hug eyes light up at the response, in hush anger "... aid ... salvation ... we have a common enemy, the Stag Lord ... he wreaks havoc with the axes of his servants to my precious forest and fields of flowers! I will soon vanish, as the last rays of light fades at dusk ..."

Where is the stag lord?

A hopeful smile enters the nymphs hazed face "... south ... the fortress of a the bandit lord ... stands towering over a vast lake ..."

There is a loud thump at door of a tiny body slamming into guest room door, followed by scratching of the door and handle. The noise is loud enough that Octavius and Dalia are awakened, yet still unnaturally hazy.

The nymph continues, now stifling a frown "be warned, the bandit lord stands behind ragtag armies and natural dangers of my forest" and with smile return she says "... and others ... despoilers ... seek to claim your crown ..."

Who else is after the crown and how big is the army?

Dalia will grumply get upto investigate the thumping,
Muttering woe unto the fool who would disturb a lady's beauty sleep.