10: The Forest of Woe

[burke]

According to your captives it would take you approximately one hour by horse. So maybe two or three hours by foot.

[Hogscape]

Quinlan: "In that case, let's rest here a while and time our departure to coincide with dusk?"

[apeloverage]

Alwyn wonders aloud whether all of the bandits are human.

[OOC: can non-humans see in the dark in this campaign?]

[burke]

Jan 9, 2010 7:55:53 GMT -5 apeloverage said:

Alwyn wonders aloud whether all of the bandits are human.

[OOC: can non-humans see in the dark in this campaign?]

The bandits seem perplexed by the question, "Of course we're all human."

[At least Mahara-la's senses are far more acute than the rest of you.]

[Hogscape]

Quinlan: "Methinks they doth protest too much... Clearly they are demon spawn..."

[Toad-Killer-Dog]

"Well comrades shall we truss up our captives and attempt to ambush the bandits in the dark?"

"Or shall search for the wayward merchant for the remains of the day and then bed down safely away from the bandits?"

OOC: If we tie them up I say we do it upside down with their hands behind their backs and blindfold and gag them.

First of course we should strip them to their small clothes and take their boots.

.......not that Drugan has done this before or anything. ;D

[apeloverage]

"The longer we wait, the more likely it is that our captives will escape" says Alwyn.

[danhem]

"I'm not sure about any of you, but I cannot see in the dark. I think were as likely to get lost and eaten by wolves as to find the bandit's camp at this point. I say if we're not going to dispose of our new 'friends' we take them back to the inn."

"I don't like the idea of trying to keep our bearing in the dark, defeat a horde of well armed bandits, and keep these scum from stabbing us in the back while we do it."

[Toad-Killer-Dog]

"Lets make for the inn, a rest and a chance to secure our prisoners would strike me as the most sensible plan."

Drugan will string a rope in a choke line around the prisoners necks and use his trident to get them going in the right direction.

[burke]

The sun sets before you are out of the Forest of Woes. As you reach its borders the blood chilling howl of a wolf echoes distantly from the south. You double your efforts to reach the safety of the Inn.

An hour later you spy the welcoming lights off the Inn. The gate is already closed for the night, but as the guards recognize you they let you enter.

Chet is more troubled than pleased by your prisoners, "What am I to do with them? Did they ambush you?"

At this the prisoners cry out their innocence and accuse you of attacking them. The merchants are not terrible pleased either, "Where are the silks? We asked for cloths, not flea-ridden brigands!"

[ragnorakk]

Verklud gives a tug on the choke rope to quiet the brigands.
"Yes, indeed - this drek's got none of your silks themselves - but we've gained an advantage over the bandits that we will pursue on the morrow. Is there a townsman here responsible for the execution of justice? A stock or jail about?"

[apeloverage]

"Curse your impatience!" Alwyn scolds the merchants.

"Mayhap we should let them go, to tell their friends we're on our way? Then perhaps we should set out in the dark for their camp?"

[Toad-Killer-Dog]

Drugan stumps forward.

"We've gained useful information, gotten the measure of the brigands and acquired a skilled guide to help us find your lost merchandise"

"Which by the way is not in the brigands hands.....yet"

Drugan then wheels to face the guards.

"These bedraggled miscreants are members of the Black Brigade, which I'm sure their equipment and mount will attest"

"And this (Drugan points at the sergeant with his crutch) is the sergeant of the whole band"

"So hurry and fetch your sheriff or truth seeker, we've depleted the Black Brigade by a quarter in a single day, that warrants prays and congratulations not having to listen to more of these retches mewling and whining"

[Hogscape]

Quinlan shrugs... "Should have left them to the deodands..."

"Let's rest at the inn tonight then make straight for the bandit camp at first light."

... Whispers to Charles... "Perhaps we should let one escape and follow him home?"

[danhem]

Charles slaps one of the whining brigands on the back of the head.

"Quiet you. You disgrace yourself with your begging."

"Yes, let us dispose of this rabble, one way or another, and then get some rest. Tomorrow we'll find your precious silks AND rid you of the rest of these murderous thieves."

Turning aside to Quinlan he whispers back, "That may be a good idea. We'll have to make it hard for him though."