KINGMAKER
Entry 2.
Oleg's Trading Post
The party made plans into the night of how they would handle the bandits when they appeared. Oleg expected them in the next day or two as they were already overdue. Sure enough the next morning they were roused by the cat-calls of the bandits. Havrik had slept outside the post hidden in the long grass and stalked the bandit group unnoticed. The rest of the party ran into positions within the trading post and out of sight of the bandits whilst Oleg slowly opened the main gate. He enticed them in with the promise of animal pelts for payment. This left only Happs, their leader, outside the post.
At this point the trap was sprung. Havrik (outside) and William (on the palisade) opened up on Happs and inside the rest of the party overcame the other bandits who were taken completely by surprise. The last two survivors ran towards the back of the trading post, hoping to find a way out. The first was brought down almost immediately, his comrade succumbed to the attention of a big cat that had leapt onto the roof of the stable in order to cut off the avenue of escape. The battle was soon over.
Oleg & Svetlana was overcome with thanks for their salvation. They offered them free board and lodgings and Svetlana spent most of the next few hours bring them more and more food. Oleg was advised to improve the defences of the post and to recruit help for its future defence. Meanwhile the surviving bandits were patched up and secured under the gratings of the midden pits to await the next Brevoy patrol.
Having extracted information from their prisoners, the party set off for the bandit camp intending to reach there before any remaining bandits started to miss their comrades.
After only a mile or so they came upon a mysterious character waiting under a stand of trees. The half-elf gave his name as Jedhail, a hunter, along with Snarl, his cat. He confirmed the way to the bandit camp and seemed pleased that they had dispatched the bandits and helped his friend Oleg. Jarn was aware of a great aura of magic around Jedhail whilst they were talking and sharing his tea.
The way to the bandit camp at Thorn River passed through woodlands which grew more dense as they continued. At a clearing in the woods they came upon a field of moon radishes. A group of kobolds were rolling on the ground in some discomfort, perhaps from eating too many radishes. They quickly turned on the party, threatening them and defending their patch. William's magic caught them out and, entangled in the vegetation, the party made short work of dispatching the vermin. Ioni recognised the radishes as an ingredient Svetlana used in her stews and soups. They gathered whatever they could to take back to her.
Not far away Ione became aware of a tiny winged creature flitting between the branches and fluttering around her as they made their way through the woods. This turned out to be a faerie dragon, a tiny fae creature. She had been attracted to Ione's fae aura. They struck up a friendly conversation but the dragon would not disclose her name as she knew names were powerful magic. She promised they would meet again but she couldn't say when.
As they guessed they were nearing the bandit camp, the party decided to settle down for the night. Havrik & Ione's cat went out hunting and were very successful in bringing down three young deer. A good meal was had by all and the remaining deer were added to the pack horses' loads.
The next day they came upon the river Thorn and, as promised by Jedhail, found the bandit camp not far down stream.
Havrik was sent out to scout the camp and successfully reconnoitred it without being spotted. The party started to make plans for their attack.
