Chapter 3-b
- Location
- USA
Chapter 3-b: Conflict At Thorn Ford, Part 2
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Jaheira and Viconia finished putting the poisons in the wine that had been labeled for The Stag Lord. "Nothing that should be fatal… unfortunately," Viconia clipped.
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Akiros Insmort, the so-called right-hand of the stag lord stood before her.
"I'm sure you've heard many stories of the Stag Lord and his people. You probably think we're flesh-eating madmen. We're nothing of the sort, I assure you. We essentially want the same as those who sent you - ownership of this land and the right to take payment from those who live and work here. The Stolen Lands aren't part of Brevoy, despite what anyone may think - my commander has as much right to this land as Jamnadi Aldori."
He continued, "I personally forbade Kressle's people from harming the owners of the trading post. They paid on time and worked dutifully - at least until you showed up and disturbed things. But despite that, does this really need to end in violence? Restov is too far away to be able to effectively control these lands, and I don't want to lose any of my people. So, please - leave the Stag Lord be, and leave in peace."
Imoen stared for a moment, sensing the tension of everyone around her. All knew this could erupt into combat at a moment. "You ask whether this needs to end in violence? Why not turn that around? Regularly travelers and merchants are robbed or killed in these lands by your people. Do you think the bloodstained and pillaged carts sitting just outside your camp are a justifiable part of your 'Lord's rule? The farmers and hunters, those trying to live their lives, are extorted with no hope of recourse or appeal. You say you 'personally forbade' Kressle's people from murder?" Imoen barked a laugh, "Do you want applause? I saw them barely restrain themselves from going beyond leering comments and strong-arming. And what about all the other instances in which you have not personally," Imoen stressed the word mockingly, "forbidden murder?"
[Sense Motive check passed]
She continued, "You carry yourself with an air of nobility, desperate to be part of a real kingdom. But you only serve a bandit, Akiros. A cruel man with delusions of grandeur, and you enable that cruelty with your platitudes." Imoen allowed her face to lose some of its hardness, "It doesn't need to be too late for you, though. Your hesitation is clear; help me against your so-called 'lord', and you might someday do more than just bow to brigands."
Akiros was filled with barely restrained emotion, and when he replied it was tightly controlled, "Ha.... a very eloquent attempt, but your charm is not enough to turn me traitor. Kressle!", he barked, "deal with them as you see fit. I must return to our king at once!" With that, he began running into the woods.
"Coward!" spit Kressle, before turning to you, seeming hesitant to attack. "So, how much of what you just spewed is bullshit?", she asked.
Imoen was, of course, not above lying, stealing or cheating to protect the innocent as well as those she cared for. But in this case, she was entirely truthful in saying, "Not a word. Your Lord is cruel and, judging by your attitude, not particularly good as a leader. Svetlana asked after you, do you know? I don't know why. Asked me to 'show mercy'; can't imagine why after you showed such cruelty toward her." [Insight check passed] "Some personal connection, perhaps? It doesn't matter…"
Kressle interrupted, sneering "She's a fool, then, to imagine there is any connection still between us!"
Imoen continued, "Well, her request or not, I can't simply let you walk free to terrorize more travelers," here Imoen raised her voice, and allowed a bit of her magic to flow to her eyes and voice (a trick that never got old!), and addressed all the bandits at once. "Those who lay down their arms and surrender will be spared, and be given a chance to make amends for their crimes."
[Diplomacy check failed] [Intimidate check failed]
Kressle laughed "In case you didn't notice, you're outnumbered, fancy eyes or not. Fellows, to battle!"
The battle seemed to go on forever, but as most, was over fairly quickly.
Arrows flew at them from all sides. Minsc simply ignored them as he charged forward. "Go for the eyes, Boo! Go for the eyes!!"
Jaheira remained silent, shield raised against the arrows as she, too, quickly advanced, along with her wolf.
Linzi started off allowing her inspiring magic to flow through them all, before switching to her crossbow.
Aerie began with a Grease spell and Viconia Blessed the group, before both began shooting back with their bows at the bandits in the trees.
Imoen fired off two quick arrows at a nearby bandit before he could react, continuing to aim for weak points throughout the battle.
It was a hard fought victory. Jaheira was unconscious by the end (afterward quickly healed by Aerie and Viconia), and most of them were notably wounded (Viconia being the exception).
In the moments after the battle, it was clear that a few of the bandits' lives, including Kressle's, could be saved if they were so inclined to spent a cure light wounds scroll or spell.
[] (Neutral) No… they were given their chance. Now we can only give them a clean death.
[] (Neutral) Save only Kressle. She may have information, and Svetlana did ask…
[] (Neutral Good) Save all four; we'll give them a chance to earn redemption (and answer some questions)…
[Either of the later two votes will lead to a mini-scene interrogation, as well as a vote as to what to do with them afterward]
Searching the bandits, and the encampment, they found an assortment of minor treasures. Kressle herself carried a fine pair of axes, as well as the ring that Svetlana described, which Imoen pocketed. Most of the bandits' equipment was low quality, but they did pick up a number of bows and blades for selling. One set of orders carried interest: Kressle had been instructed to burn down an old hut to the northwest, with directions described.
More interesting was a bound and gagged prisoner hidden in a tent. A dark-haired man, late middle aged. They cut his bonds, of course.
"Thank you, stranger. My name is Jhod Kavken. I'm a priest of Erastil, from Galt." He went on to tell them of how the bandits had captured him and demanded that he heal their wounds, and his subsequent refusal. Imoen saw Jaheira, to the side, nod approvingly.
Erastil… Imoen recalled what she'd learned. A priest of… civilization? Hunting. Taming the wilderness, something like that. A Good deity, certainly.
Jhod indicated he intended to make his way to Oleg's trading post, and asked them to keep an eye out for the lost ruins of the Temple of the Elk that he'd originally been looking for. Imoen considered whether there was anything she wanted to ask him, or ask of him.
[] Write-In (optional).
Finally, it was a decision as to what their next priority was. They still had no real leads on where the Stag Lord's fort was. To the east was an Ancient Tomb where Tartuccio had apparently been. They could track down the traitor? Far to the northwest lay the described hut. Perhaps it had valuable information? Or they could simply explore deeper into the woods.
[] Ancient Tomb - track Tartuccio
[] Abandoned Hut - look for clues
[] Explore Deeper
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End Scene
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it might be