2.2 Chapter 2: Stag Lord

In a display of raw angry power the Staglord grabs Octavius and whips him in Valerie, knocking them over in a tangle of bodies. He uses the momentum the leap the the upper platform, using Harrim as a step to launch from. He doesn't make his leap and crashes to the floor, destroying a cheaply build table in the process. The adventures are able to overwhelm the Staglord, his might forcing them to put him all the way down. The remaining bandits flee or surrender.

The fort is quickly secured. The interior of the fort is not impressive, with more of the furniture being crates, chests, and old furs. Empty bottles are littered everywhere, particularly in what is likely the Staglords room. A large amount of stolen wealth can be found in the central rooms—the bandits have been stockpiling their ill-gotten goods for months. The majority of the wealth kept here consists of mundane trade goods like pelts, furs, tobacco, iron, bronze, miscellaneous weapons and armor, and miscellaneous adventuring gear. A quick glance reveals that the Staglord and his lieutenants had some valuable gears on them.

Akiros Ismort (raging lieutenants) had a Cold Iron Longsword, and rusted iron holy symbol of Erastil on him
Dovan (sleazy lieutenants) had a Rapier with the Fearsome rune.
Staglord had a fine Composite Longbow with an Earthbinding rune, his stag skull helm that seems to be magical and oddly, a lock of green hair bound with red twine

Overall you have captured 2 bandit prisoners, with 1 fleeing and the rest dead. The wild druid in the cellar seems to has fled through the backdoor you created.

Filbert and I will take a very thorough look in the loot for wedding bands to see if there are ones likely to belong to our hosts.

Dalia spends her time healing the wounded and asking the question of what to do about this keep, should we repair it and set it up as an outpost and a safe haven in these woods or spend some time decommissioning it so as to not have it become another banditry camp again?

Svetlana's ring is not found in the loot of the fort. When the bandit prisoners are pressed on subject, they mention that they haven't received a loot shipment from the Thorn River Boyz in a while. The higher ups thought the shipment was hit by kobolds. There is a group just northeast along the Shrike river that has been acting real bold lately.

Perhaps we should head back that way and clear them out. Let's question the bandit prisoners further on numbers to see if we could take them out on the way up or need reinforcement before trying.

Dalia will spend her day time hours, praying and preforming last rights on the dead and the various unkempt graves to hopefully avoid any more angery undead.

One closer inspection the fort seems to be centered on the ruins of a fortified monastery long abandoned and adapted over the years. The fort currently in not in a good state of repair, the bandits appear to be more drunkards and bullies then qualified engineers. The base stone foundation remains solid, and could be worked into large secure building ideal for the seat of government (eg a town hall). In a pinch the fort could be used a refuge from the dangers of the wild and other bandits.

The monastery was originally dedicated to Gyronna, a lesser-known goddess of extortion, hatred, and spite whose faith has always been strong in the River Kingdoms. The undead seem to be a result of divine angst, likely the monks angered the god of hatred/spite in some way. Proper reverence to the major gods in the region should clear the minor god's spiteful echo. Again, the bandits seems more like drunkards and bullies, rather then respectful clergy.

You prepare for the approaching Troll as it crashes through the forest. Eventually you meet as both groups enter a clearing, the troll is a large creature of 16ft, with vicious claws and a toothy maw. It is wearing bright blue bracers and carrying a large sack, which it places on the ground. "Ooooh, you find more food for Kargadd, little man! Kargadd thanks you, and Kargadd eats you last as prize!"

Initiative incoming

The troll runs forward, but deftly avoids the warm sunlight of the glade, sticking to the shadows of the forest. Pausing it rips a rock from the ground an hurls in at the group, clipping the Ranger on the way.

Dalia calls upon the benediction of the goddess (increasing the ac of everyone within 15 ft of her) before seeking some semblance of cover behind the log.