Chapter 1: The Adventure Begins

Looking down her left arm with disgust, Sherry notices the thin red line that the Vulpin had cut into her. She had to get quicker! But maybe it would leave a nice scar. She would look indeed splendider with it. Dangerous!

Instead of binding and comforting the mapach girl concentrates on the plundering. Swiftly she turns the bags and boots inside out, while searching for something to life on in the following days.

Looking at the dead mapachs, she sadly shakes her head. Just some poor misguided guys trying making a not so honest living. What a bleak day.
As everybody starts to pay attention to the elurian. Sherry walzes of to the bandit she had knocked out. Sighing, the former highway-woman opens the bindings of Charun and tosses them angrily in the direction of the armor wearer.

She crouches down, splashing a little water in the mapach's face and lightly slaps him until his eyes flutter open.

"Well... not your day, ain't it?" Sherry starts slowly in a low, comforting voice, allowing him time to orientate. "If you want to thank me for preserving your life: spit something worthwhile.

If not: on you go and consider something else to earn for your loved ones. You live by the sword, you die... you get it, right?"

The former outlaw would love hearing something of a hidden treasure, a meeting of bandit captains, or the most recent rumor. But even if this miserable shmuck doesn't know anything valuable, the white furred Sherry would make sure that this one goes free unmolested and free of charge. It was bad enough, that the others had to die.

Leif watched Sherry unbound the remaining living bandit with a mixture of anger, relief, and disgust. He waited until the mapach finished reacting to Sherry’s inquiries, then with the flat side of his sickle he smacked the mapach’s cheek a couple of times until he looked Leif in the eyes.

"You run across any bandits out there, you tell them what happened here—four dead bandits and you get to run along free on account of our mercy so you can spread the news: these woods belong to good folks now."

With a twirl, Leif hooked his sickles back onto his belt and took out his bow and arrow once more. His blood was still flowing foul on account of killing. He thought he might retch the way some farmboy heroes do after their first kill in the plays he watched, but now things are settled, Leif figured the bandits weren’t worth that much grief. He wondered if maybe something was broken inside him where the Amaranthine put mercy in a jerbeen. Leif shook his head and forced a smile on his face. Fake it til you feel it.

He walked over to the strange merchant they’d rescued, unsure of what to make of her. I hope she doesn’t eat me, he thought, but aloud he said, "I’m Leif, pleasure to meet you."

That was more like it. That’s what heroes do, right? Rescue folks and talk nicely to them. Sure it was, but Leif’s mood turned black again as he offered the merchant his hand and saw it was stained with blood.

Stopping Leif right after the first smack, Sherry shakes her head vehemently, while laying her paw on his weapon. "You do this to yours, that one - he is mine." she states in an ice cold, not ready to back down, tone. At least that she had learned the last few years.
What a twat! Cutting their negotiations short, starting the fight, spilling all the humblefolk blood. And now? Even mishandling her prisoner! She would love to give Leif a good shake, to bring him to his senses. But this, most likely, would result in more bad blood. And of blood at least, she had seen her fair share today.

The mapach bandit sits there shocked looking at the interaction between Sherry and Leif.

How else am I to live? my home was burnt to the ground by fires and those in Alderheart wouldn't let me or anyone else take refuge there. I am just trying to find a way to make by. I promise I will cause none of you trouble if you let me go.

Meanwhile Hurin notices that in the gear that was pulled from the bandits, the bandit captain's sword seems newer and in better condition than any of the other gear. It has a rose insignia on the pommel and is much more ornate than you would expect.

The gear found on each Bandit
Bandit
5gp Each
Short Swords
leather armor

Bandit Captain
10gp
Short Sword
Bow
20 arrows
Studded Leather Armor

Eliza speaks to Churan

Well not taking the roads is fine by me, my cart is made for traversing the mountains of Firnveldt, it could take some rough terrain. If you provide help I can promise you I will give you good deals in my shop in Alderheart

Charun replies to Eliza somewhat distractedly as he listens to the conversation with the bandit It may be possible for you to accompany us at least to the next settlement. I will talk with my companions. I suggest you get ready to move out.
He will then help Hurin gather things as needed

With a heavy heart, Sherry listens to the story of the mapach. One she only knows too well. Those birdfolk-people of Alderheart... nothing had changed as it seems.

With a nod in the right direction, the freshly baked adventurer sends the bandit away: "Go to Meadowfen, they need honest people there. Even more so, people who know how to wield a sword." With their patrol gone, the Mapach would get a suitable place to prove himself in the nice village. This could be beneficial for both sides.

But just to be clear: "Always remember what my friend said: These woods belong to the good folks now. Don't you ever let us catch you go astray. Ever." she adds coldly, to remind the bandit, that all of this could undeniably have ended very bleak for him.

Turning to Leif, if this requires a discussion, Sherry raises a questioning eyebrow.

If not, even better. The mapach girl is ready to collect her share of the loot and move on.

Hurin will turns the ornate sword over in his hand.

"It's a fine weapon but of no use to me. Perhaps it will suit one of you? As for the merchant, I see no reason why she shouldn't accompany us to Winnowing Reach.

He will pack up the rest of the items, taking note of what was found.

Walking over to the bandit Charun simply asks Where did you come from? If you home was destroyed then how is destroying others livelihood making yours any better?
There are better ways to overcome a trial than to pass your difficulties onto others. The next time you have a choice that affects others think about how you want others to treat you before acting solely out of self interest. . And Charun tosses the thief back his purse and coin. Use that to make a life, not take more.

As Sherry views the sword that Charun holds, she recognizes the insignia as a sign of being a Lieutenant in the greater Bandit Coalition. Specifically one that would be under the direct orders of the Bandit leader Benna Serridan. While the blade is not magic, just having the blade will make all bandits of a rank lower than captain will have disadvantage on any rolls made to oppose Charisma (Intimidation) ability checks made by that character.

As the party make it through traveling another night passes and you get within a stone's throw of Winnowing Reach. This next day is when you should arrive.

Leif clucked his tongue at Sherry and scowled, but he simply shrugged and walked away after saying his piece. Using misfortune to prey upon others was no excuse, but Leif wasn't going to murder someone unarmed.

The foul mood followed Leif like a shadow, and he was glad to continue being the scout, separating himself from the others. He still wasn't sure what to make of the merchant, but she seemed harmless enough.

Sharing her thoughts on the blade, Sherry reluctantly asks Charun - as he was the one entering into the conversation with the bandits: "Do you want it? It may provide you with some leverage when we meet someone like them again." He would just have to carry the weapon, not even have to wield it. For a birdfolk-person he seems surprising down to earth.

She herself is satisfied with her scimitars for the moment. Only the gold seems to be of interest for the mapach.